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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




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C1IOR FOR THE SOUL. 



BIBLE STORY-LAND 

New Testament Edition 



—FOR— 



Home, School, «d Sunday-School 



MOST BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED 



8Y J 

Mrs. Annie Randall White. 

Author of " Bible Story-Land'' (Old Testament Edition) ; "Polite Society, at Home 
and Abroad" and formerly Editor " Young Folks 1 Monthly. 11 



Chicago, Philadelphia, and Stockton, Cal., -\<"2^^^ 
MONARCH BOOK COMPANY. 
(Successors to, and formerly L. P. Miller & Co.) 
PUBLISHERS, 



\ 






COPYRIGHTED BY 

4HABLRS S. SUTPHEN 



INTRODUCTION, 



In Bible Story Land, New Testament Edition, the author 
has sought to clothe the events of the Bible in such simple 
and plain language that no one can fail to receive the deep 
lessons which a perusal of its pages will convey to the young- 
est mind. 

The Bible is the grandest book which has ever been given 
to man, and the child's education has not been completed, 
until it has been made acquainted with the high moral lessons 
inculcated within its pages. 

Believing this fully, it has been a labor of love to place 
before our young readers a brief recapitulation of its most 
important events, and if it shall serve to awaken a love for that 
best of books, which shall stimulate the young student to a 
more extended acquaintance with its beauties and truths, the 
author will feel amply rewarded for the efforts spent in their 
behalf. 

This volume comprehends the New Testament; in con- 
junction with Bible Story Land, Old Testament edition, of 
1891, the story of the Bible is complete. 

Mrs. Annie Randall White. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

POEM. Look to Jesus 10 

CHAPTER I. The Promise Fulfilled 1 1 

POEM. Wish You Merry Christmas 12 

CHAPTER II. Herod's Anger and Jealousy 17 

CHAPTER III. John the Forerunner — The First Miracle 27 

CHAPTER IV. Driving out the Money Changers. 36 

CHAPTER V. The Woman at the Well 39 

CHAPTER VI. The Sermon on the Mount 44 

CHAPTER VII. Jesus Cast out of Nazareth 48 

CHAPTER VIII. The Miraculous Draught of Fishes 51 

CHAPTER IX. Christ's Loving Deeds 58 

CHAPTER X. The Sower— Hushing the Storm 66 

CHAPTER XI. Christ Walking on the Water 71 

CHAPTER XII. The Sinful Woman 75 

CHAPTER XIII. The Transfiguration 80 

CHAPTER XIV. Jesus in the Temple 85 

CHAPTER XV Raising Lazarus from the Dead 90 

CHAPTER XVI. The Prodigal Son 96 

CHAPTER XVII. Blind Bartimeus Begging at the Gate 99 

CHAPTER XVIII. Mary Reproved by the Traitor Judas 104 

CHAPTER XIX. Jesus Enters Jerusalem in Triumph 109 

CHAPTER XX. Preparing a Place for the Last Supper 117 

CHAPTER XXL Peter Denies His Master 127 

CHAPTER XXII. Jesus Before Pilate 130 

CHAPTER XXIII. The Remorse of Judas 135 

CHAPTER XXIV. Calvary 138 

CHAPTER XXV. Christ Appears Again 151 

CHAPTER XXVL Choosing a New Apostle — Day of Pentecost 155 

CHAPTER XXVII. Peter Heals a Lame Man 158 

CHAPTER XXVIII. Sapphira and Ananias Struck Dead 162 

CHAPTER XXIX. Stephen Dies a Martyr 166 

CHAPTER XXX. Philip Converts a Rich Man 169 

CHAPTER XXXI. Saul is Converted 173 

CHAPTER XXXII. Peter Works Miracles 177 

CHAPTER XXXIII. Peter is Delivered from Prison 180 

CHAPTER XXXIV. Paul and Silas Arrested 186 

CHAPTER XXXV. Paul Utters His Defence 189 

CHAPTER XXXVI. Festus Hears Paul's Story 201 

CHAPTER XXXVII. Paul is Sent to Rome. 204 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. Paul Writes to the Churches 209 

POEM. Sowing the Seed 213 

POEM. " Of Such is the Kingdom of God " 214 

POEM. "The Child Jesus" . 215 

POEM. The Widow's Mite 216 

POEM. Denial by Peter 218 

POEM. Hour of Death 219 

8 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE. 

FRONTISPIECE.— The Hope that is an 

Anchor for the Soul 

Wish You Merry Christmas , . . 12 

Good Tidings , 13 

Shepherd and Wife of Ancient Shiloh. . . 16 

The Presentation in the Temple , . . 19 

Nazareth 21 

An Eastern School 22 

The Saviour in the Temple Arguing with 

the Rabbis 24 

The Boyhood of Christ 25 

John the Baptist Preaching 28 

The Call of Peter and Andrew 30 

Christ Fasting in the Wilderness 31 

The Beginning of Christ's Ministry 33 

The Marriage at Cana 34 

In the Portico of the Temple 36 

Driving Out the Money Changers 37 

John the Baptist in Prison 39 

The Woman of Samaria at the Well 41 

Curing the Lame 42 

An Eastern Synagogue e 44 

•' Let Us Love One Another." 45 

" No Prophet is Accepted in his own 

Country " 49 

Miraculous Cast of Fishes 51 

•' Render Unto C^sar the Things that 

are Ctesar's " 54 

Pharisee's Entering the Temple. . . . , 55 

The Widow's Mite 56 

An Eastern Well 59 

Christ Raises the Daughter of Jairus 61 

Welcomed to Every House 62 

Salome Dances beeore Herod 63 

Execution of John the Baptist 64 

The Parable of the Sower 66 

Healing the Demoniac in the Caves 68 

Costumes of Women of Bethlehem 70 

Christ Mourning over Jerusalem 72 

Walking on the Water 74 

Christ in the House of the Rich Leper. . 76 
Christ's Feet Washed by the Repentant 

Woman 77 

Christ Driving the Seven Devils out of 

Mary Magdalene 79 

"Except You Become One of These," 

etc . . . . 83 

Pharisees Stoning Christ and his Apos- 
tles 86 

" He that is without Sin let him Cast 

the First Stone " 87 

A Jewish Wedding Ceremony 88 

Christ at Mary and Martha's 91 

View Inside the Wall of Jerusalem 95 

The Prodigal Son Leaving Home 97 

"He Ran and Fell on his Neck and 

Kissed Him." 98 

Healing the Blind Bartimeus 100 

" Suffer Little Childern to Come Unto 

me." 101 



page. 

Zacch^us in the Tree , 102 

The Ten Virgins 104 

Mary Anointing Christ with Precious 

Ointment 106 

Jesus Enters Jerusalem in Triumph 109 

Palms Borne by the Children 110 

Foretelling the Destruction of the Tem- 
ple 112 

Mosque of Omar ...... 113 

Driving Out Money Lenders ... 114 

Plowing in Bible Times 116 

" Verily I Say Unto Ye, That One of Ye 

Will Betray Me." 118 

" He it is to whom I Shall Give a Sop ". . 120 

" He Fell on His Face." 122 

Christ's Agony in the Garden 123 

The Arrest of Jesus , . . 124 

Judas' Kiss 125 

An Eastern Noonday Rest 126 

Christ Before the High Priest 127 

Peter Denies his Master 128 

Pilate Examines Jesus Privately 131 

The Scourging of Christ 132 

Jesus Crowned with Thorns 133 

Ecce Homo 134 

Judas Repemtant ... 136 

On the Road to Calvary 138 

Christs' Faithful Friends from Galilee. . 139 

The Crucifixion 140 

" It is Finished. " , 142 

Descent from the Cross 143 

Burial of Christ 144 

Christ Appears to Mary 146 

Ten of the Disciples Sat with Doors 

Locked 147 

Going to Emmaus 148 

Doubting Thomas 149 

Day of Pentecost > . • • 156 

1 ' I Will Talk of Thy Doings" 160 

The Blessing of the Lord Q 163 

The Martyrdom of St. Stephen. . , 167 

Understandest Thou What Thou Read- 

est? 171 

The Angel of the Lord 175 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ 178 

The Liberation of St. Peter 181 

We then that are Strong Ought to Bear 

the Infirmities of the Weak 184 

Through the Grace of Our Lord Jesus 

Christ 188 

The Fruit of the Spirit, Love 191 

St. Paul Made Prisoner 192 

St. Paul Preaching 194 

Let All Things be Done Decently and in 

Order 197 

Be Ye Doers of the Word. .... 198 

Wailing Wall of the Jews 200 

St. Paul's Arrival in Rome 206 

Keep the Sabbath Day to Sanctify it. .. . 207 
Apocalypse 212 



LOOK TO JESUS. 



O, eyes that are weary, 

And hearts that are sore! 
Look off unto Jesus, 

And sorrow no more. 
The light of His countenance 

Shineth so bright, 
That on earth, as in heaven, 

There need be " no night." 

Looking off unto Jesus, 

My eyes cannot see 
The troubles and dangers 

That throng about me; 
They cannot be blinded 

With sorrowful tears. 
They cannot be shadowed 

With unbelief's fears. 

Looking off unto Jesus, 

My spirit is blest; 
In the world I have turmoil, 

In Him I have rest. 
The sea of my life 

All around me may roar, 
When I look unto Jesus 

I hear it no more. 

Looking off unto Jesus, 

I go not astray; 
My eyes are upon Him, 

He shows me the way. 



The path may seem dark 
As He leads me along, 

But following Jesus 
I cannot go wrong. 

Looking off unto Jesus, 

My heart cannot fear; 
Its trembling is still, 

When I see Jesus near; 
1 know that His presence 

My safeguard will be, 
For " Why are ye troubled? " 

He saith unto me. 

Looking off unto Jesus, 
Oh, may I be found, 

When the waters of Jordan 
Encompass me round ! 

Let them bear me away 

In His presence to be: 

'Tis but seeing Him nearer 
Whom always I see. 

Then, then shall I know 

The full beauty and grace 
Of Jesus, my Lord, 

When I stand face to face; 
I shall know how His love 

Went before me each day, 
And wonder that ever 

My eyes turned away. 



10 



CHAPTER I. 

THE PROMISE FULFILLED. 

You were told, dear children, in the Bible Story Land that a 
Saviour was foretold who would come and make all hearts glad. 

The prophets had been promised a king who should arise 
from out of the House of David, to bring peace and joy to the 
world forever. 

That promise had been made many, many years before, to 
Abraham. And it was fulfilled amply. For there came a time 
when a beautiful and pure young girl was chosen as alone worthy 
of this high honor— that of becoming the mother of this great 
king. 

Mary was the daughter of Joachim and Anna, and both her 
parents were of royal lineage. Thus our Lord was directly de- 
scended from King David, and the prophecy was fulfilled. 

In that same city where Mary was born, and where she yet 
dwelt, an angel came to her, and as she was alone in her home 
one day, she saw a man standing before her. She looked at him 
timidly, for his brightness overpowered her. 

But when he spoke to her in gentle tones, he said words of 
cheer and comfort; and yet they sounded strange and myste- 
rious to her, for he hailed her as among the most favored of 
women. And he bade her be rejoiced, for she was chosen as 
the mother of the future king, the Saviour of all mankind. And 
he told her that she must call the babe whom God was about 
to send her— 'Jesus." 

Scarcely daring to ask a question, she hurried away to her 

11 



WISH YOU MEERT CHRISTMAS. 

Tell me the story old and true, 

That each glad Christmas makes so new, 

How Christ was born in Bethlehem, 

And cradled in a manger ; 
One bright star, like a diadem, 

Shone o'er the holy stranger. 

Say, did the Christ-child light that star, 
As he came down from Heaven afar? 
The wise men followed where it led, 

With costly myrrh, sweet-smelling; 
And kneeling, gave him gifts and said, 

" Our King, all kings excelling ! " 

On that, the first of Christmas days, 
The angels sang a song of praise, 
And on this happy Christmas, they 

The same sweet song are singing, 
" Good-will from God to men ! " they say ; 

Set all the joy-bells ringing. 



12 



THE PROMISE FULFILLED. 



13 



cousin, Elizabeth, who, though much older than she, was a dear 
friend, and together they rejoiced at the promised blessing. 

But this grand event was already known to others, for there 
were shepherds who tended their flocks at night in the open 
fields, and an angel had also shown himself to them, and told 




them of the birth of this wondrous babe, and they hastened to 
find him, that they might carry their simple offerings of fruits 
and doves. 

These plain and honest men never doubted for an instant 
that the angel had told them the truth. He had promised them 
good tidings, and they received them into their hearts at once. 



14 THE PROMISE FULFILLED. 

But there were still other men — men of wealth and learning, 
who were made acquainted with the fulfilment of the promise. 
They, like the shepherds, were led by a star which went before 
them, and whose rays were a guide to them, and which shone 
steadily down when they came to where the young child lay. 

And these wise men (or Magi as they were called) were not 
men who dealt in magic, but were wise and learned princes of 
far Eastern countries. And they were given to watching the 
stars, for they were students of astronomy. When they saw 
the Star of Bethlehem they remembered the prophecy: "There 
shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of 
Israel:' 

So they rose at once when they saw that star, and journeyed 
on to Jerusalem. Their way lay over rough mountains, and 
deep streams, but they did not hesitate. They knew they 
should find that King who had been promised the whole world. 

And when they reached that city they went on to Bethle- 
hem, where they found the infant lying in a manger, and going 
in to the place, they threw themselves down before Him, and 
offered the rich gifts of frankincense and gold and myrrh which 
they had brought. 

Mary was betrothed to Joseph, a man of good repute, who, 
when he was told by the angel that Mary was a pearl among 
women, was rejoiced to accept the great destiny which lay be- 
fore them both. In his soul he thanked God for this great 
honor. 

And when the wise men and the shepherds journeyed to 
Bethlehem to lay their offerings before the new born babe, how 
happy Joseph and Mary, the father and mother, must have felt, 



THE PROMISE FULFILLED. 15 

to see that precious one already acknowledged as a king. They 
felt God's goodness to them was wondrous. 

There were many others who were looking anxiously for a 
Messiah who should come and deliver them from their oppres- 
sors; but God had not revealed to them where His beloved Son 
was. That was a mighty secret known only to the shepherds 
and the wise men. 

The people were very unhappy. Their rulers were hard and 
cruel, and made them pay such heavy tribute (or taxes as we 
would call it now) that they were almost unable to live. Herod 
cared nothing for their sufferings, and they all were waiting anx- 
iously for the coming of that Messiah whom the prophets had 
so long before foretold, They knew He would make their bur- 
dens lighter. 




SHEPHERD AND WIFE OF ANCIENT SH1LOH. 
16 



CHAPTER II. 

herod's anger and jealousy. 

It would not be possible, we think, for so strange a thing as 
the birth of a little child whose coining had led men to travel 
so far to worship Him, to happen, without its being talked about. 
So Herod, who was King of Judea, heard about Mary and 
Joseph, and the young child Jesus, and he was very much 
troubled. He called the Scribes and chief priests together, and 
asked them where Jesus was to be born. They, too, knew 
what the prophets of old had said, and they made answer: 

" In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the 
prophet." 

And they told him that though Bethlehem was a small place, 
yet there should come out from it a governor who should rule 
all Israel. 

This did not make Herod very much pleased, for he was 
wicked and jealous, and he feared he should lose his throne. 
He heard about the wise men coming to Judea, and he sent for 
them privately and asked them a great many questions about 
the star— when it had first been seen, and he talked very fairly 
to them, asking them to search for the babe, and when they 
had found Him, he wished them to come back and tell him just 
where He was, and he would go and worship Him also. 

Don't you think, children, that any one would be deceived 
by such words as these? Even the wise men thought he was 
sincere, and they promised him that they would come back, ^s 
soon-as they found Jesus, and tell him all they could. 

2 17 



1 8 HEROD '5 'ANGER AND JEALOUS Y. 

When they left Herod, the star which had gone before them 
all the way, went ''and stood over where the young child was." 

How they rejoiced when they saw it stop. They knew then 
their long journey was ended, and they " rejoiced with exceed- 
ing great joy." 

When they promised the cruel King Herod that they would 
come to his palace again, they meant to keep their word, for 
they thought he would be glad to worship the young child. 

But God, who knows all hearts, saw the wicked feelings 
Herod cherished, and He warned the wise men in a dream not 
to return that way. So they left Bethlehem by another road, 
and went back into their own country. 

When the little one was eight days old, Mary and Joseph 
went up to the temple to present their babe to the Lord. 

And a devout man named Simeon was there, and when Mary 
held the babe in her arms, he took it and blessed God that, 
though he was so old he had been permitted to live to see the 
glory of God's people, Israel. 

And the old man blessed them and prophesied that the 
infant was a sign for all the world, but he warned Mary that her 
heart should be pierced as with a sword. 

And Anna, a prophetess, entering at that moment, thanked 
God that she too had seen the One who should bring redemp- 
tion to all the world. 

An angel of the Lord also visited Joseph in a dream, and 
warned him that Herod, the reigning king, sought the life of 
the young child. And he told him to go into Egypt and stay 
there till it was God's will that he should come back. 

Joseph obeyed at once. He took the little babe and its 



HEROD'S ANGER AND JEALOUSY. 



19 



v mother, and he left Bethlehem in the darkness of the night, 
and fled away into Egypt, so that Herod could not know where 
they had gone, and could do no harm to the little child. 




THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. 



But when Herod found that the wise men did not come 
to talk with him, he was very angry. He had felt sure he 
should discover where the babe was, and he had meant to 
take its life. Was he not wicked? He was a very old man, 



20 HEROD'S ANGER AND JEALOUSY. 

and had already been a king thirty-seven years, and yet he 
could not endure the thought of giving up his throne to any 
one. 

He had done many wicked things during his reign. He 
had murdered his own sons, and oppressed the poor, but now 
his wrath was so terrible, for he considered that he had been 
mocked by the wise men, that he planned a terrible deed— 
and that was, the massacre of all the little boys in the city 
of Bethlehem, and all the coasts around, who were two years 
of age and under. 

What a terrible command that was! And how the hearts 
of Joseph and Mary must have rejoiced to think their precious 
babe was safe from his anger. 

But when that awful edict was carried out, a gloom must 
have settled down over that unlucky city. There was mourn- 
ing in nearly every house. Their dear children were all 
sacrificed to the jealousy and anger of a cruel tyrant, and 
nothing could comfort them; their dear little ones were all 
murdered. 

Herod was punished severely, for God sent diseases and 
pains that were so hard to bear that he tried to take his own 
life. And when he at last died, we do not think any one 
mourned, not even his own family. 

When he was dead, God sent an angel again to Joseph, 
and told him to go into the land of Israel, for the one who 
had sought the young child's life was no longer alive. 

Joseph was glad to know that he could go back with 
safety, but when he heard that a very wicked son of Herod's, 
Archelaus by name, was the king in the place of his father, 




_ 



22 



HEROD'S ANGER AND JEALOUSY. 



his heart was troubled. He knew that he ought to go back, 
and yet he was afraid of the new king, so he went into Galilee, 
to a town called Nazareth. 

You see what a peaceful, pleasant town it was. And how 




AN EASTERN SCHOOL. 



happy those loving parents of the child Jesus must have been 
to dwell where everything was so lovely around. 

Here he lived for many years. And here Jesus grew into 
manhood. 

And here He went to school with other boys of His age* 



HEROD'S ANGER AND JEALOUSY. 23 

The Jews were very strict about teaching their children. And 
it seems strange to think of the youthful Saviour studying as 
did other youths of His time. 

When Jesus was twelve years old, his parents took Him up 
to Jerusalem to the Feast of the Passover. 

Do you know, children, what this Feast meant, or why it 
was observed? Many long years before, the Lord smote all the 
first-born of Egypt, and the Israelites alone remained unharmed. 
So Moses instituted this festival in commemoration of the Lord's 
gracious mercy. 

When the festival was first kept passover lambs were sacri- 
ficed on the evening of the fourteenth of the first spring month, 
and they were eaten the next night. All leaven was forbidden 
from the meals of that and the next seven days, and the first and 
the seventh day were considered holy. 

But since the final destruction of Jerusalem, the Jews have- 
celebrated this feast by eating unleavened bread for eight days, 
and held other ceremonies of a religious character. 

Thus has the command of the Lord been obeyed, when He 
said to the Israelites: 

"And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye 
shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; 
ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever/' 

When Jesus went up to this Feast, which had been kept so- 
many years, He was very happy to think He should see the 
famous temple. Within its walls He spent all His time, earn- 
estly arguing with the wise rabbis and doctors of law, who were 
amazed at the learning He showed. There was no question they 
asked Him which He could not answer at once, and correctly. 




THE SAVIOUR IN THE TEMPLE ARGUING WITH THE RABBIS. 

24 



HEROD'S ANGER. AND JEALOUSY. 



25 



And they crowded around the boy with wondering looks; 
for never had they seen so remarkable a child before. 




THE BOYHOOD OF CHRIST. 



But when Joseph and Mary were ready to go home, they 
missed their child, and with alarm they sought for Him among 



26 HEROD'S ANGER AND JEALOUSY. 

the young people of his own age. Next they inquired of the 
older people. But no one had seen Him! 

That mother's heart was filled with sadness. Where could 
He be? Oh, had He fallen into the hands of His enemies, and 
was she never to see Him again, were the questions she asked 
herself over and over again. 

But they must know the worst, so back they went to Jeru- 
salem, and after searching three days, with sad and despairing 
hearts, they found Him in an outer court of the temple, talking 
earnestly with the priests and learned men. 

How thankful His mother was to see Him safe, but she 
could not help chiding Him a little, for the anxiety He had 
caused her. 

But He asked her if she did not know He must do His 
Father's work. 

What work do you think He meant? Why, teaching and 
calling sinners to repentance. 

But He went home with Joseph and Mary, although He 
longed to stay in the temple, for that was His heavenly Father s 
house. 

For many years, eighteen, He lived here with His parents, 
and toiled with His own hands. Yes, our Lord worked at the 
trade of a carpenter, and His mother was cheered by His com- 
panionship, and had the proud happiness of seeing Him grow 
to manhood. Still His foes had not found the dwelling-place 
of the future king of all the earth, although they had searched 
most diligently. 

Truly Mary was happy, and yet she feared continually lest 
those who had sought His life would find Him and destroy Him. 



CHAPTER III. 

JOHN THE FORERUNNER— THE FIRST MIRACLE. 

When our Saviour was about thirty, a great prophet arose, 
who preached in the wilderness of Judea. 

This prophet was called John the Baptist. He came crying 
aloud, so that all the people heard: 

" Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 

He was a strange looking man — thin and wasted, and he 
wore a rough garment of camel's hair, with a girdle to fasten it, 
and ate locusts and wild honey. He lived a self-denying life. 
He came to tell the people of the coming of the Saviour. It 
was now the Lord's time when Jesus should go forth and 
preach, and John was His forerunner. 

Now John knew not the Saviour as such; even though 
He was his cousin and had played with Him in childhood, yet 
he did not know who He was — that Jesus, the son of Joseph 
the carpenter, was the promised Messiah whom he had been 
sent to announce to all the people. For John himself was a 
great preacher, and baptized many. 

And Jesus came from Nazareth to the place where John 
was, to be baptized. 

John was asked by the priests and Levites from Jerusalem, 
"Who art thou? " 

And he said at once, "I am not the Christ.' ' For he knew 
that they thought he was the promised One. 

Again they asked him if he were Elias? And again he an- 
swered that he was not. 

27 






28 



JOHN THE FORERUNNER— THE FIRST MIRACLE. 



They became impatient, and bade him tell them who he was, 
that they might give an answer to those who sent them. And 




JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHING. 



he made reply that he was the voice of one crying in the wil- 
derness, "Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the 
prophet Esaias." 



JOHN THE FORERUNNER— THE FIRST MIRACLE. 29 

They asked him why he baptized people, " if he were neither 
Christ, nor Elias, nor that prophet ? " 

But he said to them that he baptized with water only, but 
that the One who was coming to them, would baptize with the 
Holy Spirit. 

"He it is," said John, "who, coming after me, is preferred 
before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to un- 
loose." 

The next day John saw Jesus, and at once the Spirit of God 
made him recognize Him as the true King, and he cried out in 
his conviction: 

" Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of 
the world !" 

John had been told by the Lord that when the real Messiah 
came, he should know Him by seeing the spirit descending 
from heaven like a dove, and resting upon Him. 

And when Jesus asked to be baptized by John the Baptist, 
the latter felt he was not good enough to perform that office, 
but Jesus said, " Suffer it to be so." 

And when John obeyed, then he knew more than ever that 
Christ was indeed the Lord. 

Now others began to hail Him as the promised King. Two 
of John's disciples were first to follow Him. These were Peter 
and Andrew. He saw them mending their nets, for they were 
fishermen. He simply said to them — 

" Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 

And they ^ii their homes and their occupation, and became 
at once His disciples. 

Then Philip and Philip's friend, Nathanael, joined the others, 



5o 



JOHN THE FORERUNNER -THE FIRST MIRACLE 



They all were sure that He was the gracious Lord whom they 
had been looking for so long. 




THE CALL OF PETER AND ANDREW. 



After Jesus was baptized, He began the work which His 
Father had sent Him to do— to call sinners to repentance. 
But first He went into the wilderness, and there He lived 



JOHN THE FORERUNNER— THE FIRST MIRACLE. 



31 



alone, save for the presence of His Father above, and He ate no 
food for forty days, but prayed and fasted. 




CHRIST FASTING IN THE WILDERNESS. 



Here temptation came to Him. Yes, dear children, even 
the Saviour was tempted by a wicked spirit who knew He was 
faint and weary with hunger. This spirit mocked Him, and 



32 JOHN THE FORERUNNER-THE FIRST MIRACLE. 

bade Him turn the stones upon the mountain into bread. 

But Jesus told him bread alone would not sustain life, but 
the love of God and all good things must be present, else would 
man perish. 

Then this same evil spirit carried Him up into a high mount- 
ain, and pointing out all the beautiful fields and woods and vil- 
lages, promised Him all that He could see, if He would fall 
down and worship Him. 

Jesus' answer was: "Get thee behind me, Satan. For it is 
written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only 
shalt thou serve." 

The evil one was loth to give up his wicked attempt to con- 
quer our Saviour. So once more he tried. He took Him to 
the temple and placing Him on one of the highest pinnacles 
he sneeringly said to Him that if He were the Son of God, he 
could throw Himself down, and receive no harm, for the angels 
would bear Him up, lest He should dash His foot against a 
stone. 

Then Jesus rose up, and with the majesty of a divine nature 
ordered him to be gone, for He said, " Thou shalt not tempt the 
Lord thy God." 

And the devil fled away, angry and defeated. 

Thus you see, that when you are sometimes able to over- 
come one temptation, others may come which are harder to 
withstand. So do not feel too strong by yourselves, but 
humbly ask your heavenly Father to be with you, and guard you 
against all temptations, the small as well as the great. 

Jesus now began to work miracles. At Cana, in Galilee, a 
wedding was held, and when Jesus, who had come back to see 



JOHN THE FORERUNNER— THE FIRST MIRACLE. 33 

His mother, found she had gone to this marriage feast, He went 
to the town that He might meet her. And He was bidden with 




THE BEGINNING OF CHRIST'S MINISTRY. 



hearty welcome to the house where the celebration was to be 
held. 

You must know how glad Mary was to see her dear Son 



34 



JOHN THE FORERUNNER-THE FIRST MIRACLE. 



once more. And how much she had to say to Him. But in 
the course of the evening the wine which it was the custom to 
have at all such gatherings, gave out. It had all been drank. 
It seemed to Mary, who knew that to Jesus all power was 




THE MARRIAGE AT CANA. 



given, that now was a fitting time to have Him show that power. 
So she told Him quietly that there was no more wine. 

Why do you think she said that to Him? Because her lov- 
ing heart was growing impatient to see Him do something that 
should show to others who He really was. In those days mir- 



JOHN THE FORERUNNER— THE FIRST MIRACLE. 35 

acles were often worked by the prophets, and she knew that 
Jesus was more than a prophet — that He was the Lord and 
Saviour, 

But Jesus was not quite ready to do anything strange and 
miraculous. He waited His Father's time, still, when He saw 
that the guests were without wine, He ordered the servants 
to fill six water pots that stood there with water, and bear the 
liquid to the governor of the feast. 

They obeyed Him at once, and when the great man tasted 
the water which had been turned into wine, he praised its flavor 
loudly, and every one who drank was satisfied. 

This was the first miracle that our Blessed Saviour 
performed. 

And this miracle was done to give pleasure to a festive 
occasion. Wine was not used in those days as it is now. No 
feast or merry-making was complete without it, and it was 
drank in moderation. It was deemed a deep disgrace to use so 
much that it would make a man lose his sense of propriety and 
self-respect. 



CHAPTER IV. 

DRIVING OUT THE MONEY CHANGERS. 

After Jesus had performed the miracle of turning water into 
wine, He went up to Jerusalem, for the Feast of the Passover 
was at hand. 




IN THE PORTICO OF THE TEMPLE. 
36 



DRIVING OUT THE MONEY CHANGERS. 



37 



But here He found the temple profaned by the presence of 
those who went there to buy and sell, and exchange money. 
The sheep and oxen, and doves, which were to be sacrificed, 
made such a noise that those who went there to worship were 
greatly annoyed. 




DRIVING OUT THE MONEY CHANGERS. 



Jesus was angry at the desecration of the place, which 
should be kept sacred, and He made a scourge from small 
cords, and drove these wicked, selfish people from the temple 
and overturned the money changers' tables. 



38 



DRIVING OUT THE MONEY CHANGERS. 



And to those who sold doves, He spoke more gently, but 
still firmly: 

''Take these things hence. Make not my Father's house a 
house of merchandise." 

From this time Jesus taught and worked miracles. 




CHAPTER V. 

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL. 

Herod was very wicked. This king was the son of Herod 
the Great, who had put all the little boys to death, when our 
Saviour was Himself a babe. 




JOHN THE BAPTIST IN PRISON. 



He was as wicked as his father, and had thrown John the 
Baptist into prison, because he had reproved him for his sinful 
ways. 



39 



40 THE WOMAN AT THE "WELL 

Our Saviour went to Galilee, and He passed through Sa- 
maria, till He came to a city called Sychar. 

Here He sat down to rest, for He was weary and faint. He 
had walked nearly twenty miles, and neither He nor the disci- 
ples had tasted food that day. While He sat by a well which 
was known as Jacob's well, a woman drew near to fill her jar 
with water. 

Jesus asked her for some of that cool liquid. This woman 
had not a tender heart, or she would not have answered Him 
as she did. She told Him that He was a Jew and she was from 
Samaria, and that the Jews and Samaritans had no dealings with 
each other. 

Our Lord spoke very kindly to her, and told her if she loved 
God, and could know who was speaking to her, she would have 
asked Him for a drink, and He would have given her living 
water. 

Think of the wonderful goodness of our Saviour, to speak 
to her so gently, when He had the power to have punished her 
for her selfish thoughts. Oh, children, those people who lived 
when He was on earth, were indeed blessed, and they knew it 
not. But you can have Him with you always, in your hearts, 
and it will make you grow more gentle and like Him, each day. 

But when Jesus talked with her and told her about this liv- 
ing water, she grew more thoughtful and anxious to partake of 
it, and she listened eagerly to His words. 

He sent her to bring her friends, that they too might hear 
the word of God. He told her that she needed to have no partic- 
ular place to worship the Messiah in, for He was a spirit, and 
must be worshiped with the heart, and in truth. So you can 



THE WOMAN AT THE WELL. 



41 



look up to Him everywhere, and reverence and love Him, at 
home, in church, at your play, or at your daily tasks. You can 




THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA AT THE WELL. 



feel that His love and care are about you everywhere, if you 
only ask His protection. 

When the disciples came back with the food which they 



__ 



42 



THE WOMAN AT THE WELL 



had been to buy, they were amazed to see their beloved Master 
instructing this woman, for she belonged to a people who were 
unfriendly and even savage to strangers. 




CURING THE LAME. 



She was so eager to have others hear Him, for He had made 
her heart glad, that she left her water pot and went into the 



THE WOMAN AT THE WELL. 43 

city and called many men to the well, saying that a man 
who sat there had told her all the things she had ever done in 
her life. 

"Is not this the Christ ?" she asked, for her people, too, 
were looking for a Messiah who should come to rule over them 
some day. 

When the men went back with her, and heard the glorious 
words of our Lord, they were, many of them, convinced that 
He was the Christ, and they begged Him to stay among them 
and preach. 

He could only remain there two days, however, for His work 
lay in Galilee. But many believed on Him. 

Jesus worked many miracles. The blind, the lame, the 
deaf, they who were born deformed and those whose minds 
were gone, all were objects of compassion in His sight. No one 
asked of Him help, and was ever rejected. 

How He loved all His creatures— and does to-day, as much 
as then. For did He not give His life that all who asked pardon 
in His name, might receive it? 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 



The Scribes and Pharisees hated Jesus. He taught the 
people in the synagogues, and in every place. And He taught 




AN EASTERN SYNAGOGUE. 
44 




LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER." 
45 



46 THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 

them that they must love their neighbors. He went up into a 
high mountain, and when the multitude gathered around Him, 
He talked to them so that all could understand. 

He said to those who stood or sat around: 
" Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of 
heaven." 

He meant that all who were humble and loving, would find 
a peace of mind that nothing else could give. 

He promised blessings to those who mourn, for they should 
be comforted. And the meek were to inherit the earth. He 
said that those who were merciful should find mercy. 

" Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." 

And the peacemakers were to be called the children of God. 
Is not that a beautiful promise; that those who love peace and 
purity are to be the children of God ? No earthly honors or 
ancestry can equal that. 

He told all who followed His teachings and lived good lives, 
that they were "the light of the world," and their glory could 
not be hid. 

He warned them not to hold anger against any one, but to 
be reconciled at once. 

Swearing is a very bad habit. Any boy who is guilty of that 
sin soon loses his own respect, and the respect of others. Our 
blessed Saviour said unto all: 

" Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is Gods throne; 

" Nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; neither by Jerusa- 
lem, for it is the city of the great King; 

"Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst 
not make one hair white or black." 



THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 47 

Will you not remember that, when you are tempted to say 
profane words? Shun those who use them. It Is a sin which 
you should never commit. 

The old law said, "Love your neighbor, and hate your 
enemy/' But the law which the gentle Jesus taught, was that 
of love for all. Jesus taught that we should love those who 
hated us, and ask a blessing on those who say harsh and spite- 
ful things to us. He wishes us to pray for all such. 

" That ye may be the children of your Father, which is in 
heaven. For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the 
good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." 

That shows you how good and loving He is to those who 
do not deserve His kindness, as well as to those who do. And 
He asks you all to be as near perfect as you can. 

It is very hard to say kind things to those who ill-use you. 
But you can do so, if you only try, and ask God to give you a 
patient disposition, and a loving heart. He knows how hard it 
is, but He is ever ready to help you. All you have to do, is to 
ask Him. You will soon grow strong in well-doing. 



CHAPTER VII. 

JESUS CAST OUT OF NAZARETH. 

Jesus returned again to His old home, the peaceful city of 
Nazareth, where His boyhood had been spent. 

The old friends and neighbors were glad to see Him, and 
they were proud of the fame He had won, though they did not 
accept Him as their Lord. 

He went into the synagogue, as was always His custom, 
and the book of Isaiah was handed to Him to read from. 

He read these cheering words from its pages: 

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath 
anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. 

"He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach 
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind; 
to set at liberty them that are bruised. 

"To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." 

Then closing the sacred volume, He sat down and began to 
preach. It was the custom in those days for the preacher to 
sit. All eyes were fastened upon Him. And they listened, 
pleased at His gracious words and gentle manner. 

But they began to question each other: 

" Is not this the son of Joseph, the carpenter?" 

He told them that He was sent with the message of redemp- 
tion to them. 

"No prophet is accepted in his own country," He said, 
sadly. 

He warned them that God would send His grace upon 

48 



JESUS CAST OUT GF NAZARETH. 



49 



others more deserving if they were not careful. He told them 
of other peoples who listened and believed, and how they were 
blessed. 

He chided them for their indifference to His mission, and 
as they heard Him, they began to grow very angry, and to ask 
what right He had to preach at all, and how He dared to reprove 
them. 

How dared He, they said, claim to be the coming Messiah- 
He, the son of a carpenter, whom they had seen grow up in 
their midst. 




NO PROPHET IS ACCEPTED IN HIS OWN COUNTRY.' 



50 JESUS CAST OUT OF NAZARETH. 

Their anger grew each moment more fierce, and from being 
glad to hear His loving words, they rose in a body and thrust 
Him from their midst. 

Yes, these old friends and neighbors laid rough hands upon 
the gentle Jesus, whose heart was filled with love and compas- 
sion for them. Seizing hold of Him, they cruelly dragged Him 
out of the synagogue, and to the brow of a hill, where they 
would have hurled Him down, but He, passing through the 
crowd of angry men, hid Himself from their sight, and they 
could do Him no harm. 

He never went back to Nazareth again. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 

When our Lord left Nazareth, He went down to the quiet 
and beautiful Lake of Gennesareth. 

Many people lived on the borders of this lake, who caught 
fish, and sold them in the towns around. 

Peter was still fishing here. Often he had bad luck. No 
fish would come to his nets, and one day after Jesus had 
finished his sermon, He told His disciples to push the boat out 
into deep water, and let down their nets. 

They had toiled all night, and caught nothing. When Peter 
obeyed him, the nets filled with fish so fast that their weight 
tore them in many places. 

Peter called John and James to help him; soon the boats 
were full, too. How grateful Peter was. But the Lord told 
him that henceforth he must give up fishing, and follow Him. 




MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 
51 



52 THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 

Near this lake Jesus worked faithfully in His Father's cause, 
calling sinners to repentance. People came to hear Him from 
far and near, for His words were so full of tenderest love, and 
His compassion for their sins was so great, that He touched 
many a heart that had been given over to evil. 

He often entered the synagogues and taught, and still the 
people pressed around Him, until the house would hold no 
more. Then He went into the open air, where His voice could 
be heard by all. 

Here He healed a man whose hand was withered. 

The Jews were watching Him closely, and they murmured 
because He did good works upon the Sabbath day. He asked 
tfiem if it were lawful to do good upon that day, or rather to 
do evil — to save life, or to kill ? But they could not answer. 

They determined to kill Him, and so they accused Him of 
casting out devils by the help of the prince of devils, Beelze- 
bub, but He again puzzled them by asking, if He were Satan, 
how He could cast out Satan ? 

Our Saviour loved to talk in parables. He often told His 
hearers great truths under this guise. Thus He told them of 
a certain man who planted a vineyard and set a wine vat therein, 
and built a hedge all around it, and made it very beautiful for 
any one to occupy. He then rented it out to husbandmen, and 
when the fruits of the harvest were ready, he sent a servant 
to them, expecting to receive some of the products. 

These ungrateful men beat the owner's messenger, and sent 
him away empty handed. Again he sent another servant, and 
he was treated worse than the other. The third man he sent 
was killed. 



THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 53 

Still he bore with them, and now he thought, " 1 will send 
my only son, whom I love so dearly. Surely they will rever- 
ence him." 

What did those wicked husbandmen do ? They reasoned 
among themselves: "This is the heir; come, let us kill him, 
and the inheritance will be ours." 

And they killed this young man, and cast his body from out 
the vineyard. 

Then the anger of the master of the vineyard was roused, 
and he destroyed these men, and gave the vineyard to others. 

The Pharisees who heard Him, knew that He read plainly 
the wicked thoughts in their hearts. He knew they meant to 
destroy Him, and they went away humiliated and angry. 

But they were never weary of trying to make Him utter 
something which they could call treason, for they wanted the 
law to seize Him and punish Him. So they sent some of their 
learned men to Him, and asked Him if it were lawful to give 
tribute unto Caesar? 

The tribute money or taxes, were very heavy upon the 
people. They had to give tithes of money for each male citi- 
zen, and they had to give of the first fruits of the harvest, and 
the first-born of all their domestic animals. Then they were 
taxed for the poor, and taxed for their priests or ministers, as 
they are called to-day. So that a man had to give a great deal 
away in the course of a year. 

They asked Him: "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar? 
Shall we give, or shall we not give ? " 

He knew what hypocrites they were, and He bade them 
bring him a penny. 



54 



THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 



When He had looked at it He asked, " Whose is this image, 
and whose this superscription?" 
And they said, " Caesar's." 




"RENDER UNTO C/ESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CESAR'S." 

And Jesus answering, said: " Render unto Caesar the things 
that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 



THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 



55 



He meant that Cassar was an earthly king, and should re- 
ceive earthly tribute. But God, who is our heavenly King, 
desired the purer tribute of an obedient and adoring soul. 

Jesus sat in the temple, and saw the Pharisees coming in, 
and He knew they all made great pretence of humility. 




PHARISEES ENTERING THE TEMPLE. 



56 



THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 



While He was watching the people passing in and out, ano 
saw them casting their coins into the treasury, He observed 
that many of them, who were rich, gave largely. 




THE WIDOW'S MITE. 



" And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in 
two mites, which make a farthing. 



THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES. 57 

" And He called unto Him the disciples, and saith unto them, 
Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in 
than all they which have cast into the treasury. 

" For all the v did cast in of their abundance, but she of her 
want did cast m \\\ that she had, even all her living." 



CHAPTER IX. 

Christ's loving deeds. 

Jesus came down from the mountain, and the people fol- 
lowed Him in great crowds. His work was just begun, and 
while many doubted, great numbers listened gladly to His 
words, and believed that He was the King for whom the weary 
people, weary with waiting, had looked so long. 

A leper came to Him, and with perfect trust said: 

" Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." 

His faith was rewarded, for the divine hand was put forth, 
and the leper, whose unclean body filled all with terror, was 
touched, and lo, he became clean and fresh as a little 
babe. 

A centurion, who was a great man in those days, for he com- 
manded many men, begged Jesus to come and see his servant, 
whom He was very much attached to, and who was home sick 
with the palsy. This centurion, though rich and influential, 
was very humble in his prayer, and asked the Saviour merely to 
speak the word, and his servant would be a well man. 

His humility so touched the heart of Jesus that He told 
those who were near, that He had not seen such great faith, no, 
not even in Israel 

He granted the officer's petition, and healed the servant. 

And He cured the mother of Peter's wife, who lay ill with 
a fever. 

Thus you see, children, that all our Lord's acts were acts of 
mercy, all His teachings were those of love. Do you not think 

58 



CHRIST'S LOSING DEEDS. 



59 



you would be very happy if you loved Him, and tried to be 
gentle and kind as He was? 

I will tell you a very beautiful story of a great ruler, who 
had a daughter, an only child, who was very lovely. How he 
must have loved that child, so fair and sweet she was! 




AN EASTERN WELL. 



But alas! she was taken sick, and her parents were so anx- 
ious they knew not what to do. Then the father came unto 
Jesus, and told Him how sick his little daughter was, begging 
Him to come to her. Jesus went with him toward his home, 
while crowds followed. 



60 CHRIST'S LOVING DEEDS. 

But on their way, they met a messenger, who said they need 
not come now, for the girl was dead! 

How that father must have felt! All the joy must have gone 
out from his heart at once. But Jesus looked tenderly on 
him, and said: 

" Be not afraid, only believe." 

What did He mean ? 

They came to the house where the dead girl lay. Here the 
mourners were screaming and crying, and tearing their clothes. 
And Jesus said calmly to them: 

" Why make ye this ado, and weep ? The maiden is not 
dead, but sleepeth." 

And the mourners " laughed Him to scorn." But He sent 
them all away, and taking the parents into the death chamber, 
and Peter, and James and John, He went to the couch where 
she lay so still and cold, and taking her by the hand, He said: 

" Maiden, I say unto thee, arise." 

And she rose up, as bright and well as she was before she 
was taken sick. And He told her father and mother to give 
her something to eat. 

Now Jesus called unto Himself the twelve apostles, and sent 
them away, two by two, and gave them power to do His work — 
to cast out evil spirits, to heal the sick, and to preach salvation. 
And everywhere the people were praising this great Teacher, 
who was performing miracles, and teaching the people a new 
doctrine— one of love to all men. 

When Herod heard of it, his conscience grew fearful. For 
he thought that John the Baptist had risen from the dead, and 
would upbraid him. 



CHRIST'S LOSING DEEDS. 



61 







CHRIST RAISES THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS. 



Herod had thrown John into prison, because he had 
blamed him (the king) for his evil life. Herod had made his 
brother's wife queen, which was very wicked. And Herodias, 
as this wicked woman was named, hated him. And one day 
when Herod had a large number of nobles at his palace in honor 



62 



CHRIST'S LOSING DEEDS. 



of his birthday, she sent in her daughter Salome, to help enter- 
tain the king's guests. 

Salome danced very gracefully, and Herod was so pleased 




WELCOMED TO EVERY HOUSE. 



with her that he made a vow that she should have whatever 
she wished, even if it were half his kingdom. 



CHRIST'S LOSING DEEDS. 



63 



The young girl did not think of anything which she needed, 
and so she ran and asked her mother what she should ask for, 
and that wicked queen told her to demand the head of John 
the Baptist. 

The young girl was not frightened at her mother's order, 
but went at once to Herod, and asked that the head of the 
prophet might be brought to her upon a charger. That was a 
dish much in use, something like a platter. 

The king was much troubled, but he had sworn an oath that 
he would give her what she asked, and he dared not break it, 




SALOME DANCES BEFORE HEROD. 



64 



CHRIST'S LOSING DEEDS. 



so he sent an executioner secretly to the prison, and John was 
beheaded, and the head was brought to Salome, who took it to 
her mother, who was happy now that she had this good man slain. 




EXECUTION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 



And the disciples of John went to the prison, and sadly 
took the body of their teacher and guide, and laid it away in the 
tomb. 



CHRIST'S LOSING DEEDS. 65 

No wonder that Herod was filled with terror when he thought 
that the prophet whom he had murdered was risen from the 
dead. But Jesus departed into a desert place without letting 
any one save His disciples know where He was going. 

But He could not keep the people from following Him. 
They ran ahead of Him, and they followed on behind, and His 
loving heart would not let Him refuse to teach them, for He 
saw they were as sheep without a shepherd, so He taught them 
many things. 

As the night drew near, the disciples wished Him to send 
them away to their homes, and into the villages near by, for 
they were hungry, and there was no food for them. 

Jesus bade them feed them, but they told Him how little 
they haa, and He said: 

" How many loaves have ye ?" 

When it was counted, they had but five small loaves, and 
two fishes. 

He commanded them to sit down upon the grass, in com- 
panies of hundreds and fifties, and taking the loaves and fishes 
He looked up to heaven, and blessed the bread and broke it, 
while His disciples went round among the people who sat upon 
the grass, and gave it to them. And the two fishes were di- 
vided in the same manner. 

All ate heartily, and when the meal was over, the disciples 
gathered up twelve baskets of fragments. 

Think of the wonderful kindness of our blessed Lord. He 
taught and filled their souls with the true food which would 
fit them for a happy life after death, and yet this divine being 
remembered that they were human, with earthly needs, and 
He ministered unto them also. 



CHAPTER X. 



THE SOWER — HUSHING THE STORM. 




THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER. 



A parable is a story with a hidden meaning, or rather one 
which can be applied to certain truths. One which our blessed 
Lord told was the parable of the sower. 

The multitude was so great that the Saviour left the shore, 
and went into a ship which was moored there, and then He 
spoke about the man who went forth to sow seed. 

66 



THE SOWER-HUSHING THE STORM. 67 

Some seed was scattered so carelessly that it fell by the side 
of the road, and the birds picked it up. 

Some fell on stony ground, where the earth was so shallow 
that it sprang up at once. And as soon as the sun rose, it 
scorched the young plants, because they had no good root, and 
they withered away. 

More seed fell among thorns, and the thorns choked them. 

But some of the seed fell on good ground, and brought 
forth plenty of good fruit. 

Children, which soil would you wish your hearts to be— th* 
careless, unthrifty one where the good thoughts that spring up 
do not live because the selfish thorns choke them, or the 
rich, good soil where pure deeds and kindly acts thrive and 
grow, till they bear fruit that will nourish all around ? 

I am sure you all would wish the good thoughts to live 
forever. 

The Saviour and His disciples were exhausted. For hours 
He had been talking to the people, and worn and weary, He lay 
down in the boat as it glided over the Lake or Sea of Galilee, 
and fell fast asleep. 

A terrible storm came up; one of those so common in that 
country. The boat rocked to and fro, now dipping almost to 
the water's edge, and now riding high upon a wave which 
seemed ready to swallow it up. 

The disciples were alarmed. They knew their Master was 
tired, and yet they were so terrified that they almost began to 
fear He did not care for them. 

" Master," they cried, " carest thou not for us! " 

He heard their cry, and rising, He said to the angry waves: 



68 



THE SOWER— HUSHING THE STORM. 



"Peace, be still!" and at His command, the howling wind 
died away, the waters became still, and all danger was over. 

The next morning they crossed the sea over into the country 
of the Gadarenes. 




HEALING THE DEMONIAC IN THE CAVES. 



As they landed, a fearful looking being rushed angrily at 
them. He was a lunatic, a man who had lost his reason. He 
dwelt among the rocks and caves, and no man could calm him, 
and no man knew where he found his food. 

When he came running toward the Saviour, the disciples 



THE SOWERS-HUSHING THE STORM. 69 

trembled. They saw he was a man of immense strength, and 
what was their surprise to hear him say: 

" What have I to do with thee, Son of the Most High! " 

Jesus answered: 

" Come out of this man, you unclean spirit!" 

The spirit screamed fiercely, but it had to obey. 

The Saviour inquired of the man his name. 

" My name is Legion— for we are many." 

This meant that more than one spirit tormented this poor 
man. They begged of Jesus that He would send them into a 
herd of swine that were feeding a short distance away. 

He said: " Go." 

As soon as the spirits entered the swine, the whole of them, 
two thousand, ran down the steep bank into the sea, and were 
drowned. 

And the man who was cured, went to his friends and told 
them what Jesus had done for him. 




COSTUMES OF WOMEN OF BETHLEHEM. 
70 



CHAPTER XI. 

CHRIST WALKING ON THE WATER. 

How bitterly the Pharisees and Scribes hated our Saviour. 
They were jealous of the hold he had upon the hearts of the 
people, and they feared their old laws and customs would be 
overthrown, if He were allowed to continue teaching. 

They watched Him continually, ever finding fault with Him, 
and trying to make Him say or do something that would be 
breaking their laws, so that they might seize Him and torment 
Him. 

They tempted Him to give them a sign from heaven, but 
He sighed at their hardness of hearts, and told them they should 
have no sign. 

But from this time forth, Jesus began to prepare His disci- 
ples for the sad days which were coming, when He should go 
up to Jerusalem, and suffer many insults at the hands of the 
elders and the people. He also told them He should be killed, 
but He should be raised again on the third day. 

He lamented over Jerusalem, that city which He loved so 
dearly, and which was to be His place of suffering. 

It grieved these faithful followers to hear Him talk of His 
coming trial, and Peter in a sudden burst of grief, seized hold 
of His garments as if to keep Him back, and cried out: 

" Lord, this shall not be unto thee! " 

Jesus turned, and said sternly to Peter: 
" Get thee behind me, Satan! Thou art not of the things that 
are of God, but those that be of men." 

71 



72 



CHRIST WALKING ON THE WATER. 




CHRIST MOURNING OVER JERUSALEM. 

You see it was the will of His Father in heaven that these 
things should happen, and Peter was unconsciously trying to 
prevent their fulfillment. 

After the hungry crowd had been filled by the wonderful 
power of the Saviour's bounty, He retired to a mountain side 
to pray. 

Though the night was dark and dreary, Jesus felt refreshed, 
because He could pray to His Father without being molested. 

The disciples had entered the boat, intending to sail to the 
other shore. But the storm was so severe they were nearly 



CHRIST WALKING ON THE WATER. 73 

powerless to guide the boat through the stormy waters. 

They were beginning to fear that they should be wrecked, 
when in the darkness of midnight they saw a man walking upon 
the water as easily as they could tread the dry land. 

Instead of feeling assured, they were alarmed, and cried out 
in terror: 

"It is a spirit!" 

Jesus' reassuring voice was heard, and these were the words 
He spoke: 

"Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid." 

Peter could not have really believed it was his Master, else 
he would not have asked Him if it were truly Jesus, if He would 
let Him come to Him on the water. 

"Come!" said his Lord. 

At once Peter went over into the water, and tried to walk. 
But he sank, and earnestly he cried: 

"Lord, save me!" 

Jesus asked Peter why he had so little faith. And he could 
not answer. But the disciples felt happy now that their beloved 
Lord was in the boat with them again, and the storm died away, 
and they landed in safety on the opposite shore. 




CHRIST WALKING ON THE WATER. 

74 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE SINFUL WOMAN. 

Christ's life was no longer safe in Jerusalem. Plots were 
laid constantly to get possession of His body. 

He knew their evil designs, but it had no effect upon Him. 
As ever, He labored to help all who would be helped into a better 
way. His work was a high and glorious one, and He regarded 
not His own safety. 

A rich Pharisee sent Him an invitation to come and dine 
with him. Now Simon was not a real enemy of the Saviour's, 
neither was he an open friend. He wished to hear what Jesus 
would talk about. So he asked several friends of his own sect 
to come, too. 

How did Simon receive this guest whom he had asked to 
his table? In the same manner as he did the others, with a 
kiss of peace ? And did he instruct his servants to wash His. 
feet, and anoint His head with oil? 

Oh, no, this haughty Pharisee would not pay this compli- 
ment to a guest of such lowly estate. He perhaps felt he had 
paid Him attention sufficient by asking Him to his house. 

The guests were many, and were all placed around the table, 
reclining on couches, as was the custom in that country. Jesus 
was among them, and many questions were asked Him, you 
may be sure. 

While they sat at the table, eating and talking, a woman came 
in who was so wicked that the Pharisees drew back in disdain. 

Going to the Saviour, she threw herself at His feet, and 

75 



76 



THE SINFUL WOMAN. 




CHRIST IN THE HOUSE OF THE RICH PHARISEE. 



while the tears of sorrow for her sin flowed freely down her 
face, she took a box of costly ointment from her pocket, and 
began to bathe His feet with her tears. She then wiped them 
with her long hair, and poured the precious ointment upon 
them. * 



THE SINFUL WOMAN. 



77 



Simon was very indignant. " Surely," he thought, " if this 
man were a prophet, He would know just who this woman was." 

The Pharisees had no pity for those they called sinners. 
They thought they were so holy themselves that no one should 
approach them who was wicked. 




CHRIST'S FEET WASHED BY THE REPENTANT WOMAN. 

Jesus knew what Simon was thinking. And so He said, 
" Simon, I have something to say to you." 

The host nodded his head, and bade Jesus say on. 

Then our Lord told him a story of a man who lent two other 



78 THE SINFUL WOMAN. 

men some money. One man owed him a very large amount, 
but the other one only owed him a little. When he found 
neither could pay him back the money, he freely forgave them 
both. 

Now Jesus asked Simon which of those men would love 
their creditor most ? 

Of course Simon made answer that the one who owed him 
most would love him best. 

Jesus told him he was right. 

So you see no one need be afraid to go to God, no matter 
how deeply he may have sinned against Him, and ask His 
forgiveness. 

Then the Saviour turned toward the woman, and said: 

" Simon, this woman came into your house, and washed my 
feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 
You gave me no water for my feet when I entered your door. 
No oil was put upon my head, but she has anointed my feet 
with ointment. 

" Her sins were many, but they are forgiven. She loved 
much, but those to whom little is forgiven, love little. ,, 

The guests who heard these words were amazed, and asked 
who this man was who forgave sin. 

And He said to the sorrowing woman: "Go in peace." 

And as He went through the villages many women welcomed 
Him, and ministered unto Him. 

Among these women were Joanna and Susanna, and many 
others. Some of those who were so |dnd to Him, and cared 
for His needs, were those from whom He had driven unclean 
spirits. 



THE SINFUL WOMAN. 



79 



Mary Magdalene was among them. Our Saviour had cast 
out seven devils from her, and now she was a good and pious 
woman. 




CHRIST DRIVING THE SEVEN DEVILS OUT OF MARY MAGDALENE. 







CHAPTER XIII. 

THE TRANSFIGURATION. 

In six days from the time when Jesus had made His disci- 
ples so sad by telling them of His coming death, and when Peter 
had been almost led into great sin by declaring that it should 
not be, the Saviour took Peter, James and John, and together 
they went up into a high mountain, apart from the rest of the 
disciples. 

This mountain was very high and hard to climb. The three 
followers were very weary. They had preached and labored 
hard all that day, but yet they were ready to follow Him wherever 
He led the way. 

When they reached the top of the mountain, they were so 
exhausted that while their dear Master went a little way off to 
pray in silence, for still further strength, these tired men fell 
fast asleep. 

They were suddenly awakened by what seemed a bright 
light, and they saw Jesus standing between two men, whom 
they knew were Moses and Elias. 

And the face of the Saviour shone like the sun. A light 
beamed from it which was so bright it almost dazzled them; 
and His garments were white and shining. 

Peter's heart was full of awe and reverence. He said to the 
Saviour: 

" Lord, it is good for us to be here." 

He wanted to build three tabernacles there; one for Jesus, 
one for Moses, and one for Elias. 

80 



THE TRANSFIGURATION. 81 

Even while he was speaking, a luminous cloud appeared, and 
a voice came from it, saying: 

" This is my well-beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 
Hear ye Him." 

The disciples fell upon the ground, with their faces hid, for 
they were afraid. 

But they felt the gentle touch of Jesus, and heard His dear 
voice bidding them to rise, and to have no fear. 

And lifting up their eyes, they saw that their Master was 
alone. The prophets had passed from their sight. Jesus 
charged them to tell no one what they had seen until after He 
had risen from the dead. 

And they spoke of it to no man. 

The next day as they came down the mountain side, a man 
pushed his way from among the crowd of people who met Him, 
and hailing Him as Master, told Him about his young son who 
was possessed by a spirit that tore him, and dashed him around, 
and made him foam at the mouth. 

The man told Jesus his pitiful story as he knelt before Him, 
beseeching Him to help the boy. 

He told the Saviour how that he had asked the disciples to 
cure his boy, but they could not do it. 

Jesus bade him bring the boy to Him, and rebuking the 
evil spirit, it left him, and from that moment the child was well. 

The disciples asked Jesus why they had failed to cure this 
case, and He told them that they had not prayed or had faith 
enough. 

How ashamed they must have been to think their Lord had 
to reprove them for their lack of earnestness. He had taught 



82 THE TRANSFIGURATION. 

them and prepared them to take up His work of love and heal- 
ing, and yet they were wanting in faith! 

Just after this reproof, which should have wounded them 
to the heart, He heard them disputing as they walked ahead of 
Him on their way to Capernaeum. 

Not a word did Jesus say about their quarreling until He 
reached the house where they were to stay and rest. Then 
He asked them what they were saying? 

And again they had to confess what they should have been 
ashamed of — that they were arguing which should be the 
greatest when they should come into the kingdom of heaven! 

For they knew their Lord would be a king, and they felt 
sure that they should be with Him in glory, and they each 
thought that he himself should be the one to receive the great- 
est honor. 

Jesus answered them thus: Calling a gentle little boy unto 
Him, He pointed to the child, and said: 

" Except your hearts are changed, and you become as little 
children, you cannot come into the kingdom of heaven." 

He told them further, that the one who was as humble and 
unpretending as that child, would be the greatest in heaven. 

Little children, are you always humble and gentle, thinking 
more of the happiness of others, than of your own ? That is 
as your precious Saviour would have you. Every child can be- 
come this, if he tries. It may be hard to conquer all selfishness, 
but when you have succeeded, how happy you will feel. For 
you will be sure that God loves you, and you will be filled 
with joy. 

Daily the labors of our blessed Lord grew greater. The 



THE TRANSFIGURATION. 



83 




EXCEPT YOU BECOME AS ONE OF THESE," ETC. 



world seemed full of sin and suffering; from all parts came the 
sick, asking that Jesus give them His healing touch; the sad 
and sorrowing came to hear the precious words of comfort 
that fell from His lips. 

So He sent out seventy men to whom He gave power to do 



84 THE TRANSFIGURATION. 

the works which He did; to heal and instruct. And to them 
He said: 

" The harvest is great, but there are few to labor in the 
fields." He told them to carry neither money, nor scrip, nor 
shoes, and to spend no time idly talking by the way. 

When they entered a house, they were to say: " Peace be 
to this house." 

If they were not received kindly, they were to leave the 
place, and to shake off the very dust that was on their feet. 
And they went forth on their errand, and returned joyfully, for 
they had done great works through the power of God's holy 
name. 

Christ likened Himself unto a shepherd, who careth for his 
sheep. 

How these words ring in the ears of all who love Him: 

" I am the good Shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his 
life for the sheep." 

Is not that a joyous thought that our Lord loves us so that 
we are to Him as sheep, whom He will gather into His fold? 
That He will lead us and care for us, wherever we are? You 
know David, the Psalmist, wrote a tender song when he said: 

"The Lord is my shepherd; / shall not want 

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth 
me beside the still waters." 



CHAPTER XIV. 

JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. 

A feast held in great honor was now drawing near. 

This festival was held to commemorate the goodness of 
God in giving them abundant crops of fruits and grains. 

Every one who could leave home journeyed up to the holy 
city to partake of its enjoyments. From far and near they 
came. 

Jesus refused to go with His kindred when they invited 
Him. They could not persuade Him to go with them, so they 
started on without Him. 

But after the town was nearly deserted, He followed on, 
with His disciples. 

This feast lasted eight days. On the fourth the Jews, who 
had been anxiously asking for Him, were surprised to see Him 
enter the Temple, and at once begin to preach to all who were 
there. 

Jesus sat in a porch in the temple, called Solomon's. As 
usual, the Jews, who hated Him so bitterly, gathered around 
Him and urged Him to tell them truly if He were the Christ. 

They wanted Him to declare that He was, so that they could 
find fault with Him, and also find an excuse for their own 
hatred. 

He told them that He had told them that He was, and they 
would not believe Him. Neither would they heed His voice, 
because they were not His sheep. 

He also said to them that He gave them eternal life, as did 

85 



86 



JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. 



His Father also, and that no one could take them from His 
Father's hand. 

"I and my Father are one." 

The Jews were very angry, and seized stones to throw at 




PHARISEES STONING CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES. 

Him. He asked them for which of His good works they stoned 

Him. 

«. They answered, for none of His good acts that He had done, 

but because He, being a man, blasphemed, and tried to make 

Himself a God. 



JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. 



87 



Jesus repeated His words that He was the Son of God, and 
that the Father and He were one. 

Now their anger rose to a terrible point, and they seized 
stones to kill Him. But He passed out of their sight. In a 
moment He was gone, and they knew not where to find Him! 

While He was in the Temple, among other things which 
they did to torment Him, they brought a woman into His pres- 
ence, whom they despised, for she had done some sin which, 
by their law, was punishable with death. 

They tried to make Jesus say what should be done with her. 




" HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN LET HIM CAST THE FIRST STONE." 



88 



JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. 



Again and again they put the question to Him, but He re- 
mained silent. 

Stooping, He began to trace letters upon the ground, as 
though He heard them not. 

At last growing weary of their persistence, He raised Him- 
self to His full height, and looking sternly about Him upon the 
cruel and pitiless men who gazed so angrily upon the shrinking 
woman, he said: 

" He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone 
at her." 




A JEWISH WEDDING CEREMONY. 



JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. 89 

Every man knew that he had sinned in some way quite as 
deeply as this poor woman, and not a word did they answer, 
but stole away, one by one, until only Jesus remained. 

Turning to her, He said in gentlest tones: 

" Who accuses thee ? Has no man condemned thee ? " 

She said: " No man, Lord." 

His answer was: "Neither do I condemn thee. Go, and 
sin no more." 



CHAPTER XV. 

RAISING LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD. 

About fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem was a beautiful little 
town called Bethany. It was situated on the eastern slope of 
the Mount of Olives. Its name had a very pretty meaning — 
" Bethany, the house of song." Although it was quite a good- 
sized place so many hundreds of years ago, to-day it is nearly 
desolate, for not more than twenty families live there. 

In that village a small family consisting of two sisters and a 
brother dwelt, whom Jesus loved very much. Whenever He 
was near Bethany He always went to their home. The two 
sisters were never so happy as when He honored their house 
with His presence, though they received Him in a very different 
manner. 

Martha, the eldest, loved to show her respect by putting 
the house in order, and preparing Him nice meals, but Mary 
would neglect to help Martha about these tasks, and chose to 
sit at the feet of Jesus and hear Him talk. She thought most 
of learning from Him how to live, and how to be ready to die. 

Jesus loved them both, and they loved Him as their best 
friend. 

Lazarus, their brother, fell very ill, and they sent word at 
once to Jesus, saying: 
" Lord, he whom thou lovest, is sick." 

His answer was, that this sickness was not unto death, but 
that God might be glorified. And although the sisters had 
begged Him to come, for they felt that He could cure their 

90 



RAISING LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD. 



91 




CHRIST AT MARY AND MARTHA'S. 



brother at once, He staid two days more where He then was 
He then said to His disciples that they would go into Judea, 
but they tried to persuade Him not to, for they remembered 
that the Jews there had taken stones in their hands to stone 
Him to death. 



92 RAISING LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD. 

He said that Lazarus, their friend, slept, but He must go and 
awaken him. 

The disciples told Him that if Lazarus slept, he was getting 
better. Jesus knew that they did not understand Him, and He 
spoke more plainly: 

" Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was 
not there, for I want you to believe. But we will go to him." 

Thomas, sometimes called Didymus, felt very sad. He 
feared his Lord would be killed, but He was anxious to be with 
his beloved Master, and he said to the others: 

" Let us go, too, that we may die with Him." 

So they all went with Jesus, and when He reached Bethany 
He found that Lazarus had lain in the grave four days already. 

Martha was the first to meet Him, and her greeting was a 
sort of reproach, for she knew how Jesus loved her brother, 
and how able He was to heal, and she said, very mournfully: 
" Lord, if you had only come, my brother would not have 
died." 

Jesus answered, " Thy brother shall rise again." 

Martha said she knew that he would rise in the resurrection 
at the last day. 

Jesus said to her: " I am the resurrection and the life. He 
that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." 

Martha hurried back to the house and called Mary out very 
quietly. The house was full of Jews who had come to stay 
with the sisters a short time, so as to console them in their 
sorrow, but Martha was careful to call Mary out secretly, lest 
they should know Jesus was there, and again attempt His life. 

Mary rose up so suddenly, that the Jews thought she was 



RAISING LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD. 93 

going to Lazarus' grave to weep, and they followed her to give 
her some words of comfort. 

As soon as she came where Jesus was, she fell down at His 
feet, crying as Martha had: " Lord, if you had been here, my 
brother would not have died." 

You see what faith they both had in His wondrous power; the 
same faith that all little children should have— that He is able 
and willing to help to the uttermost. 

It troubled the tender heart of the loving Saviour to see the 
distress of Mary and Martha, and He asked them where they 
had laid Lazarus. 

And they said: " Come and see." 

Jesus wept. 

The tears flowed down His own face, at thought of their 
great sorrow. And some of the Jews who had followed Mary, 
said: 

" Behold, how He loved Him! " 

Others said it was strange that a man who could open the 
eyes of the blind, could not have kept Lazarus from dying. 

They all came to the sepulcher. It was in a cave, and a huge 
stone was rolled over the opening. Jesus commanded some 
of those who stood near, to remove this stone. But Martha 
did not want to have her brother seen, for he had been dead 
four days, and she was afraid he would be very much changed. 

Jesus chided her, asking her if He had not told her to be- 
lieve and she should see the glory of God. So they took away 
the stone, and Jesus, looking up to heaven, thanked His Father 
that He had heard His prayer. Then in a loud voice, He called: 

" Lazarus, come forth." 



94 RAISING LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD. 

And the man who had been dead, came forth, wrapped in 
his grave clothes, with a napkin bound around his face. And 
Jesus said: 

" Loose him and let him go." 

How grateful these sisters must have been, to have their 
dear brother restored. Many Jews believed on Jesus from that 
hour. But some went at once to the high priests and told of 
this miraculous thing. 

And they gathered to themselves the Scribes and plotted to 
know what they should do with a man who had such power as 
that. For they thought ere long He would make all men be- 
lieve on Him, and they would lose their place and nation. 



j 







III 



IS 



ra2fif&§ 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE PRODIGAL SON. 

A great feast was made by a very wealthy Pharisee, and 
Jesus was asked to share it with his other guests. 

This rich man made a pretence of being hospitable to Jesus, 
so that he might have a better chance to entrap Him, and give 
Him over to those who were seeking His life. 

They were ever hoping to find Him guilty of some great 
sin, so they could arrest Him. But His life was blameless and 
pure. All His acts were acts of kindness, and all His words 
were words of love. 

He told them many beautiful stories at this feast. 

One was about a very good man who had two sons. One 
son was obedient and industrious, the other was restless, and 
hated work. 

One day the younger son asked his father to give him his 
portion of the goods, and let him go away into the world, and 
enjoy himself. 

His father did not care for the possessions, but he did not 
want his son to leave home. 

He yielded, however, to the boy's wishes, and gave him his 
share, and the son gathered everything together, and started out 
to see the world. He left his home, full of glee, but how the 
father's heart ached at parting with him! 

Soon the money and goods were all gone. He had wasted 
them in bad company, and he was poor and friendless now. 
Besides, there was a famine in the land, and he did not know 
how to work. 

96 



THE PRODIGAL SON. 



97 




THE PRODIGAL SON LEAVING HOME. 



He feared he should starve soon. He hired himself to a 
man to take care of his swine. He was now hungry so often 
that he ate the coarse food which was meant for the pigs. 

Often he murmured at his foolishness at leaving home. 
How he wished he could see his father, and sit at his table 
once more, where there was plenty and to spare. 

Thinking of these things, he resolved to go at once to that 
father, and confess his sin, and ask to be forgiven. 

" And he arose, and came to his father, and when he was 
yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and 
ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." 

And then this most forgiving father ordered a feast to show 
his gladness at the return of his son. 



98 



THE PRODIGAL SON. 




HE RAN AND FELL ON HIS NECK, AND KISSED HIM.' 



"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, 
and is found." 

How precious were that father's pardon and welcome. And 
so our dear Father in heaven is ever ready to say to us " Come! " 
when we turn from our sins and selfishness. The welcome 
home is ever ready for us. 



, 



CHAPTER XV11. 

ft 

BLIND BARTIMEUS BEGGING AT THE GATE. 

There was a secluded little town called Ephraim, near the 
wilderness. Here He rested for a few weeks. The time had 
come when He must go up to Jerusalem. 

He talked daily to His beloved disciples, preparing them for 
the sad parting. But ever He promised them He should rise 
on the third day. 

They came near a town called Jericho. A man sat in the 
sun begging. He was blind, but when he heard the people who 
were following Jesus going by, he asked what was happening. 
Some one answered him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 

He called out: "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy 
on me!" 

Jesus called the man to His side. And when they led him 
thither, He asked Bartimeus what he wished. 

He answered: " Lord, give me my sight." 

And at once the Saviour rewarded his faith, and gave him 
his sight. The man who was blind before, now saw Jesus, and 
followed Him, praising and glorifying His name. 

And all the people rejoiced. 

Ever the Saviour exhorted His followers to be humble and 
child-like. Long ago He had called the little ones about Him, 
and when the disciples would have sent them away lest they 
annoyed their Lord, He had bade them be like these children. 

He had said to them: " Suffer little children to come unto 
me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 

99 



100 



BLIND BARTIMEUS BEGGING AT THE GATE. 




HEALING THE BLIND BARTIMEUS. 

In Jericho there lived a very bad man named Zacchaeus. 
This man was a publican, or tax-gatherer. He loved money 
dearly, and used every means in his power to obtain it, so that 
he might hoard it up and become very rich. 

But in spite of his great wealth he had no influence or friends. 



BLIND BARTIMEUS BEGGING AT THE GATE. 101 

His heart was sordid and narrow, and no one liked him. 
He was very anxious to see this great Prophet who was corn- 
ing by, but as he was a very short man he could not look over 
the heads of the crowd. So he climbed into a sycamore tree, 
and thus he could see this wonderful teacher, of whom every 
one was talking. 




./wpga 



»>y>i#^Afr>> 



.T- %AAi'<J/tic^i 



"SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME." 

He thought he was well hidden from sight. Judge of his 
surprise when he heard a voice calling to him : 

" Come down quickly, for to-day I must stay at your house! " 
The great Prophet was speaking, and to him who was so 



102 



BUND BARTIMEUS BEGGING AT THE GATE. 




ZACCHyEUS IN THE TREE. 

great a sinner What did it mean? But he came down the 
tree as quickly as possible, and ran to Jesus and told Him He 
was welcome to his home. 

So our Saviour went to the publican's house, and the people 
standing around were vexed. 



BLIND BARTIMEUS BEGGING AT THE GATE. 103 

" He has gone," they said, " to be the guest of a sinner." 
The condescension which Jesus showed in inviting Himself 

to the house of a man who was so very wicked as was this one, 

set Zacchasus to thinking of his evil acts, and he determined to 

make amends. So he rose up from the table, and said: 

" Lord, I will give half I own to the poor. And if I have 

robbed any man by overcharging him, I will restore fourfold." 
How rejoiced our Lord was to hear him say that. He knew 

that it was the honest outpouring of a repentant man, and He 

said: 

" This day has salvation come to this house." 

So again were those words of the Saviour fulfilled: " I 

came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



MARY REPROVED BY THE TRAITOR JUDAS. 

The days were drawing near of which Jesus had warned 
them. He told His disciples that many would come professing 
to be Christ. Plagues and famines and earthquakes would 
come upon the earth. Nations would go to war; and brothers 
would fall out with each other. 

" Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord 
may come/' 

He told them the kingdom of heaven was like the ten virgins 
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bride- 
groom. 

Five of them were prepared to meet him, for they trimmed 
their lamps, and saw that they were full of oil. 




s^ssfo 



H&jW 



&. 



THE TEN VIRGINS. 
104 



i 



MARY REPROVED BY THE TRAITOR JUDAS. 105 

The other five had forgotten to attend to their lamps, and 
they were empty. 

While they waited, they all fell asleep, but at the midnight 
hour a loud cry was heard: 

" Behold, the bridegroom cometh! " 

They sprang to their feet, and the wise ones looked care- 
fully after their lamps, but the others cried out that they had 
no oil, and begged some of their sisters. But they refused, and 
told them to buy for themselves. While they were away on 
this errand, the bridegroom came, and all who were ready went 
in to the feast. 

When the five careless virgins came back, they found the 
door locked. In despair they called, " Lord, Lord, open the 
door." 

Back came the terrible answer: " I know you not!" 

This parable is a warning lest we. neglect to prepare for 
death. If we live a good and holy life, our lamps will be found 
brightly burning when the Son of Man cometh to call us to the 
marriage feast. 

But if we do not fill our days here with good deeds, and 
keep our hearts filled with a clear and steadfast flame, we shall 
surely hear those terrible words spoken: "I know you 
not!" 

Will you not remember this lesson, and then when the 
hour of death comes, you will hear the glad welcome of " Well 
done, thou good and faithful servant." 

It was now six days before the Feast of the Passover, and 
Jesus went to the house of Simon the leper, where a feast 
was made*for Him. But Martha waited upon the table. Simon 




MARY ANOINTING CHRIST WITH PRECIOUS OINTMENT. [ 
106 



MARY REPROVED BY THE TRAITOR JUDAS. 107 

was very rich, and his house was very large, and a great many 
people sat down at the table. 

And while they ate, Mary, who loved her dear Lord, took an 
alabaster box of very costly ointment and anointed His feet with 
it. and wiped them with her hair. And the odor was so fragrant 
that it filled the whole house. 

Judas, one of the Twelve, pretended to be very angry at 
what he considered an extravagance, and he asked why the oint- 
ment was not sold, and the money given to the poor ? 

Judas did not care at all for the poor, but he carried the 
bag into which all the disciples put the money they had, and he 
thought if this beautiful ointment was sold it would bring a good 
deal of money, and he would have a chance to steal some, for 
that was what he often did. You see this disciple was a thief 
as well as a traitor. 

But Jesus said unto him: " Let her alone. She has kept 
this ointment against the day of my burying. The poor ye 
have with ye always. But me ye have not always." 

It is true that the poor are always with us. In one of the 
books of the Old Testament we are told that 'The poor shall 
never cease out of the land." And we are there commanded 
to " open wide our hand unto our brother, to the poor, and to 
the needy." 

So many people went to see Jesus after He had raised Laz- 
arus from the dead, and believed on Him, that the chief priests 
consulted together as to how they could put Him to death 
quickly, and they even wanted to kill Lazarus, because it was 
through him that the people followed Jesus. 
Judas, grown more covetous, suddenly reasoned to himself: 



108 MARY REPROVED BY THE TRAITOR JUDAS. 

" 1 will help them take Jesus. Perhaps they will pay me a large 
sum." What a terrible thought. Did he try to conquer it? 
No. He hurried up to Jerusalem and made a bargain at once 
that he would deliver the Saviour to them for thirty pieces of 
silver— about twenty dollars. 

And they paid him the money, and from that hour he 
watched for a chance to give his Master over to His foes. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM IN TRIUMPH. 

The Pharisees and Scribes were gathering wrath against 
Jesus, and hated Him more bitterly each day. They watched 
ceaselessly for a chance to find Him guilty of some act which 
would be sufficient to doom Him to death. 

Still He taught and healed, and did good works. And now 
they were near Jerusalem, and he told his disciples to go into 




TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. 
109 



110 



JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM IN TRIUMPH. 



a village and they would find a colt tied near a door, on whc^e 
back never man had sat. He told them to bring it to Him. 

They found the colt, and began to unloose him, and when 
some who were standing near, asked them why they untied the 
animal, they answered that the Lord had need of him. So they 
made no further objection. 




PALMS BORNE BY THE CHILDREN. 



J 



JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM IN TRIUMPH. Ill 

When they brought the colt to Jesus, they laid their gar- 
ments upon its back, and placed Him thereon. And the people 
followed Him, and spread green palms and grasses over the 
way for Him to pass over, while they cut down the branches 
from the palm trees and bore them aloft, women and men and 
even the little children, as they pressed on in the Saviour's path, 
making the air ring with their songs of praise: "Hosanna! 
Blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the name of the 
Lord." 

Thus in triumph our Lord rode into Jerusalem, and the 
Pharisees were torn with jealousy. "For," they said, "the 
world is gone after Him." 

How soon these wicked men would have their way! But 
the disciples, who could not believe that their Master was to 
suffer a shameful death, were happy to see this honor paid to 
Him, but He sadly talked to them of the days of sorrow that 
were coming, and foretold how that proud city would be de- 
stroyed. 

He wept as He foretold the destruction of the Temple. 
He knew that Jerusalem would be robbed of its beauty. He 
knew not one stone would be left upon another. He loved 
Jerusalem, and would have gathered His children to Him, as a 
hen broodeth her chickens. But they turned deaf ears to Him. 
They heeded not His warnings, nor would they listen to His 
pleadings. 

And even as He prophesied, so has it come to pass. Jeru- 
salem is but a shadow of its former self. Devastated and 
lonely it sits, while its enemies, of another faith, have planted a 
sign of their power and authority in its proud walls— the Mosque 



112 



JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM IN TRIUMPH. 




FORETELLING THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE. 

of Omar. In 637 of the Christian era, Jerusalem was captured 
by Mohammedan Arabs, under Kalif Omar. 

He inquired at once for the "Sakhara" or sacred rock which 
he claimed was there, and found it covered with all kinds of 
vile things which, 1 am sorry to say, the Christians had thrown 
there to show their dislike of the Jews. Here Kalif Omar 
erected a dome, which his successor, Abd-el-Melik removed 
A. D. 688, and built the splendid mosque which all travelers to 
that far Eastern land have seen. It has eight elegant gates 
carved in Saracenic style. 



114 



JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM IN TRIUMPH. 



Thus has the pride of the " Holy City" been humbled, and 
it has been shorn of its beauty. 

When Christ entered Jerusalem, He went into the temple, 
and His heart was again disturbed by the clamor of the oxen 
and the cooing of the doves, and the voices of the money 
changers who disturbed those who went there to pray and offer 
up sacrifices. And once more, as He had done three years 




DRIVING OUT MONEY LENDERS. 



before, He cast them forth, and upset their tables, as He ex- 
claimed in righteous anger: 

" My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have 
made it a den of thieves." 

"And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, 
and He healed them." 



JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM IN TRIUMPH. 115 

Think, dear children, of His wondrous love. Nowhere can 
you find a passage where our blessed Lord turned away the 
sick or the miserable, no matter how great their sins. Always 
the grand assurance comes: " He healed them." 

Can you not love a being so gentle, so forgiving, and yet 
whose power is so vast that He can do as He wills with all of 
us? And yet His will is to receive all who come to Him, with 
open arms of love. So serve Him and love Him, dear children, 
all the days of your life. 

Remember, when the lawyer, who tried to make our Lord 
say a foolish thing, asked Him: " Master, which is the greatest 
commandment? " Jesus answered: 

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and 
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

" This is the first and great commandment. 

" And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neigh- 
bor as thyself." 

Will you think of this, and remember what your heavenly 
Father asks of you ? 



, 




PLOWING IN EASTERN LANDS. 
116 



chapter xx. 

PREPARING A PLACE FOR THE LAST SUPPER. 

The Feast of the Passover was near at hand, and the Saviour 
wished to celebrate it with his beloved disciples. But how 
could this be ? If He went openly into the city, his enemies 
were ready to seize Him. Judas had been to the Pharisees 
and offered to betray Him to them for thirty miserable pieces 
of silver. 

The Saviour of the world had no place to hold that supper 
which alas, was to be the last He would ever partake of with 
those who loved Him so. 

He told them, when they asked Him where they should pre- 
pare it, to go into the city, and they would see a man carrying 
a pitcher of water, and they must follow him. 

And when they reached the house he entered, they must 
follow him closely, and go to the good man of the house and 
ask him where the guest-chamber was, which they were to pre- 
pare for the Master, that He might eat the passover with His 
disciples. 

This man would show them a large upper chamber, which 
had no furniture in it save a long table and benches. 

They did just as He told them to, and when they came to 
the house they greeted the master, and he led them to the 
room, which they prepared for the supper which was to be held 
at eventide. 

And as they were eating, He said: 

" Verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." 

117 



118 



PREPARING A PLACE FOR THE LAST SUPPER. 




"VERILY I SAY UNTO YE, THAT ONE OF YE WILL BETRAY ME." 

While He sat at supper, Jesus took bread and blessed it and 
brake, giving it to His disciples, saying: 

" Take, eat, this is my body." 

And He took the cup, and blessing it, He gave it to them 
also, and they drank thereof. 

He said to them: 

"This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed 
for many." 

They all sang a hymn, and went out into the Mount of 
Olives. 



PREPARING A PLACE FOR THE LAST SUPPER. 119 

The disciples, even at this solemn hour, when Jesus was 
with them for the last time before He was crucified, were so 
full of pride and self-love that they contended amongst them- 
selves as to who should be the greatest. 

Jesus rose from the table when the repast was ended, and 
girding Himself with a towel, He poured water into a basin, and 
began to wash the disciples' feet. This was an office that was 
always performed by servants. 

They were amazed, and protested against it. But when He 
came to Peter, that plain-speaking man refused to let his Master 
honor him so, and he said: 

" Lord, thou shalt never wash my feet." 

And Jesus answered: " If I wash thee not, thou hast no 
part with me." 

Then Peter, dreading lest his beloved Master should cast him 
off, said earnestly: 

" Lord, not my feet only, but my hands and my head." 

He wanted to be made clean, body and soul, that he might 
be pleasing in the sight of God. 

When Christ had set them this example of humility He 
told them that what He had done for them, they should do for 
each other. 

Then seating Himself again, He said to them, that one of 
those who sat at the table would betray Him. 

The disciples were shocked. Each felt that he was innocent 
of such treachery, and they looked from one to the other, and 
no one knew who was meant. 

But John, the beloved disciple, spoke in low tones to the 
Saviour, on whose bosom he leaned, and asked Him: 



120 



PREPAkING A PLACE FOR THE LAST SUPPER, 



"Lord, who is it?" 

Jesus took a sop (a small piece of bread) and answered: 

" He it is to whom I shall give a sop when I shall have 
dipped it" 

Thus saying, He dipped the bread and passed it to Judas 
iscariot 

Now the spirit of evil came into Judas with tenfold power, 
and when Jesus, who knew the hour had come for the dreadful 
deed, said to him: "That thou doest, do quickly," Judas 
hastened out and went straight to the Pharisees and chief 




HE IT IS ™ WHOM I SHALL GIVE A SOP." 



PREPARING A PLACE FOR THE LAST SUPPER. 121 

priests, and demanded that they send a band of soldiers with 
him to take Jesus. 

After he had gone away on this cruel errand, Jesus talked 
lovingly to the rest of the Twelve, and bade them love each 
other, and be ready to glorify God. And He gave them a new 
commandment: 

" That ye love one another, as I have loved you." 

Oh, wondrous love, that led Him to lay down that precious 
life, that through Him all men might be saved. 

When He told them that but a little while He should be with 
them, and that whither He went they could not follow Him at 
that time, Peter again spoke up quite earnestly: 

" Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now ? I will lay down 
my life for thy sake." 

Jesus knew that Peter meant it, and He knew, too, the 
weakness of human nature, and He said to him sadly: 

" Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake ? Verily, verily I 
say unto thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me 
thrice." 

And then Jesus lifted up His eyes to Heaven, and prayed 
for all His disciples, that they would be guarded and cared for, 
and made strong to do the work for which He had fitted them. 
And He prayed that they might be with Him when they should 
be taken out of the world. 

Then that band of sad and loving men joined their honored 
Master in a hymn, which rang out upon the clear air in that plain 
old room in Jerusalem so many hundreds of years ago. And 
when its echoes died away, they went up into the Mount of Olives 
to a garden or grove, a retired spot of about half an acre, near 



122 



PREPARING A PLACE FOR THE LAST SUPPER. 



the brook of Kedron. This garden was called Gethsemane, 
and while Jerusalem could be seen from its paths, yet it was 
very quiet and still there, and was a favorite, place with our 
blessed Lord, who often went there to pray. 

His disciples followed Him to this garden with heavy hearts, 




HE FELL ON HIS FACE." 




CHRIST'S AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 
123 



124 



PREPARING A PLACE FOR THE LAST SUPPER. 



and He bade them rest, while He went a little ways off, to ask 
help and comfort of His heavenly Father. Bidding Peter, James 
and John to go with Him, He fell on His face and prayed to God 
that if it were His will the cup of pain and sorrow which He 
was to drink might be taken away. But He prayed also, " Not 
my will, but thine be done." 




THE ARREST OF JESUS. 






PREPARING A PLACE FOR THE LAST SUPPER. 



125 



While He prayed, His anguish was so great, that the great 
drops of sweat came out upon His forehead, and fell to the 
ground, like drops of blood. 

And an angel came to His side, and gave Him strength. 

On His returning to Peter and the two others, He found 
them sleeping. He sorrowfully asked them if they could not 
watch with Him one hour? 

Twice after that He found them sleeping, and the last time 
He bade them sleep on and take their rest. 

Even as He spoke a crowd of evil-looking men, armed with 
staves and swords, and carrying torches which flared angrily 
upon their faces, came rushing into the garden which a few 
moments before had been so peaceful. 

Judas was with this rabble, and he went to the Saviour's 
side, and said: " Master master!" and kissed Him. 




/*««**£ 



*\£ 



JUDAS' KISS. 



MM 



126 



PREPARING A PLACE FOR THE LAST SUPPER. 



And Jesus, standing there, asked with quiet scorn: 

" Are ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staves 
for to take me ? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, 
and ye laid no hold upon me." 

Then, shame to relate it, but all those disciples whom He 
loved so, and had taught and comforted, fled in terror, lest they, 
too, were to be seized by the soldiers. 

Only an hour before, Peter had declared he would lay 
down his life for Him. Now He deserted Him in His hour 
of bitter woe! 




AN EASTERN NOONDAY REST. 



CHAPTER XXL 

PETER DENIES HIS MASTER. 

Now in the morning, these wicked soldiers carried their 
meek victim to Pilate to be condemned. All night they had 
tormented and mocked Him, but He, who could have con- 
quered them with a word, bore it patiently, because it was His 
Father's will and plan that He should suffer for our sins. 

When Peter fled from his Master the night before, his 




CHRIST BEPORE THE HIGH PRIEST. 
127 






, 



128 



PETER DENIES HIS MASTER. 



conscience began to smite him. He remembered all the love 
that Jesus had shown him, and his own ingratitude, and he 




PETER DENIES HIS MASTER. 



also had a longing to know where Jesus had been carried. So 
he followed the crowd to the house of the high priest where 



PETER DENIES HIS MASTER. 129 

they had borne the Saviour, and he entered the hall and 
stood there, warming himself, for it was cold. 

The high priest was questioning the Saviour when Peter 
went in, and when He answered gently that He ever taught 
openly and that those who had listened to Him could tell 
what He had said, an officer who stood near, struck Jesus 
violently with the palm of his hand, demanding to know why 
He made such an answer to the high priest. 

Peter stood near and never uttered a word in behalf of his 
dear Master. A maid servant who saw Peter, knew him, and 
accused him of being with Jesus in the garden. 

He said: " I know him not." 

Again, a few minutes later, another servant asked him if he 
was not one of the disciples, and he again told a wicked false- 
hood. He said, " 1 am not ! " 

A servant of the high priest said to him, " Did I not see 
thee in the garden with Him ? " 

Peter said boldly — "Thou didst not!" And at that mo- 
ment the cock crew loudly. 

Jesus turned and gave Peter a look so full of reproach and 
sorrow, that in a moment his heart grew penitent. What, had 
he, who professed to love his Master so entirely, been cowardly 
and untruthful ? 

His conscience awoke, and he rushed from the house, and 
going out into the darkness, he fell on his knees and wept 
bitterly. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

JESUS BEFORE PILATE. 

In the morning they took Jesus to Pilate. It was near the 
Feast of the Passover, and Pilate could not partake of this feast 
if he entered the Hall of Judgment, as He would be defiled, so 
he went out, this great ruler, to the people, and asked them 
what they would have. 

Pilate had looked upon the pure and serene face of Jesus, 
and he knew in his heart He had done no wrong. He had 
questioned Him closely, and all His replies were such as a just 
and holy man would give. This great ruler could not endure 
the thought of giving up this sinless being tp the rabble, and -he 
planned a way to avoid it. 

The chief priests were loudest in their accusations. But as 
Pilate could find no wrong in Him, and he did not like to con- 
demn an innocent man to death, he offered to release Jesus. 
It was the custom to set a prisoner free at this feast after 
scourging him, and the one who was to have been pardoned at 
this particular time was a very wicked man named Barabbas. 
Pilate wished to let Jesus go in his place, and he told the rabble 
so, but they would not hear to it. They called for Barabbas, 
although he was a thief and a murderer; they preferred to have 
this criminal liberated, rather than our beloved Lord, for they 
hated Jesus, whom they were determined should die. 

Pilate wished to be rid of the blame of allowing Jesus to 
die, and as soon as he found He was a Galileean, he sent Him 
to Herod to be adjudged. 

130 



JESUS BEFORE PILATE. 



131 




PILATE EXAMINES JESUS PRIVATELY. 



After Herod had questioned Him he, too, failed to find any 
sin in Him, and he returned Him to Pilate, after insulting Him 
by putting a gorgeous robe upon Him, as if he believed Him to 
be an earthly king. 

Pilate was more roubled than ever, but he said to himself, 



132 



JESUS BEFORE PILATE. 



"\ will have Him scourged, and give Him liberty. That surely 
will satisfy the rabble." 

So he ordered Him scourged, which was a dreadful punish- 




THE SCOURGING OF CHRIST. 



ment. But he little knew the fierce rage that burned in their 
hearts. 



JESUS BEFORE PILATE. 



133 



When he brought Jesus out to them, the soldiers and people 
led Him away, and called together the whole band. 

And they mocked Him, and struck Him, and spit upon Him, 
and bending their knees, they pretended to worship Him. They 
also put a robe of purple upon Him, and platted a crown of 
thorns, and placed it upon His head, saluting Him thus: " Hail, 
King of the Jews!" 

Then He was led forth for the mob to see. They had be- 
come weary of tormenting Him, and had placed His own clothes 
upon Him again. 




JESUS CROWNED WITH THORNS. 



134 



JESUS BEFOKE PILATE. 



As He stood there, no thought of all He had done for the 
lame, the blind, the sin-sick, went forth from that crowd. 

Pilate said, as He stood there in the sunlight, its rays light- 
ing up His beauteous face: "Behold the man!" 




ECCE HOMO. 



And a mad cry of hate went up from their throats, of "Cru- 
cify Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!" 

Pilate said: " Take Him and crucify Him, for 1 find no fault 
in Him!" 

And they led Him away, to be crucified. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE REMORSE OF JUDAS. 

But what became of Judas? The shameful deed had been 
accomplished. He had helped bring that being to a disgraceful 
death, who had once been his loving friend and teacher. 

Do you think he was happy ? Did the possession of the 
money bring him peace of mind ? 

Alas, remorse seized upon him. He repented bitterly of 
what he had done. Oh, that he might undo his work! Too 
late, and now evermore must his conscience sting him, for no 
repentance could ever bring the gentle Jesus to life again. 

He had sold himself to Satan, and was now in the power of 
one who took delight in seeing the despair of those who had 
given themselves to him. 

But at least he would not keep the money. It was the price 
of a life, and was hideous to him. He could not keep it. He 
would go to those priests and confess his falsehood. He would 
beg them to set Jesus free, ere it was too late. 

How little he knew those wolves in human guise! They 
knew that Jesus was innocent, even more than he did, but they 
had Him in their power, and would never release Him now. 

He went and told them that Jesus was innocent. He begged 
them to spare Him. They listened to him with sneers and con- 
tempt. They despised Judas for a traitor, but he had done 
them a service, and they had paid him his price. That was all 
they wished of him, and the matter was ended. 

Dashing the silver pieces down upon the floor of the temple > 

135 



136 



THE REMORSE OF JUDAS. 



he rushed out, and in the loneliness of a cave near, he thought 
of his terrible crime, and resolved to put an end to his life. 
And at last, no longer able to bear his own thoughts, he pro- 




JUDAS REPENTANT, 



cured a rope, and going to a lonely field, he found a tree, and 
climbing into it, he threw one end of the rope around a branch 



THE REMORSE OF JUDAS. 137 

and the other end about his neck, and springing down, he 
choked to death. 

Thus perished the traitor. Too late now to ask God's par- 
don. He had gone where it could no longer reach him— to the 
place prepared for all who sin past pardon. 

And the priests dared not put the money Judas had returned 
to them into the treasury, because it was the " price of blood." 

So they took the coins and bought a piece of ground near 
Jerusalem, and devoted it to burying unknown people, paupers 
and criminals. 

And they named it the " Field of Blood/' But to this day 
it is called "The Potter's Field." 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

CALVARY. 

When they led Jesus away to the place of execution, Cal- 
vary, just beyond the city walls, He was faint and weary, worn 
with grief and watching, and as He staggered under the weight 
of the cross, they compelled a strong man who had come in 
from the country, Simon, the Cyrenian, to carry it for Him. 

They led Him away to a place called Golgotha, and here 




ON THE ROAD TO CALVARY. 
138 



CALVARY. 



139 



they nailed the blessed Lord upon the cross, and left Him 
to die. 

Pilate knew He had done no sin, and yet he permitted this 
awful wickedness to be done. He wrote an inscription for the 
cross, and when the priests asked him to change it, he refused. 
It was the custom to place the name of the criminal upon the 
cross on which he was executed, together with his crime. And 
Pilate's testimony to His innocence was thus made plain to all 
who saw it, for he had it inscribed in three tongues— Hebrew, 
Greek and Latin, and this is what it said: 







CHRIST'S FAITHFUL FRIENDS FROM GALILEE. 






140 



CALVARY. 



1 JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

Even in this hour of supreme misery, Jesus thought of 
others His mother stood near the cross, and so did John, the 




THE CRUCIFIXION. 



youngest disciple. Three other women were there also, their 
tears and sobs rending the air. Jesus looked at his mother 



CALVARY. 141 

with tender love, and then His eyes resting on John, He said: 
"Woman, behold thy son!" and to John: " Behold thy 
mother! " 

And John gladly accepted the trust, and as Mary gave the 
dying Jesus a last look of farewell, he led her away from the 
foot of the cross, to his own home. 

Three hours the Saviour hung on the cross. His throat was 
parched, and one of the soldiers pitying Him, filled a sponge 
with vinegar and passed it up to Him, that He might quench 
His thirst. But others among the soldiers said: " Let Him be. 
Let us see if Elias will come and take Him down/' 

The Saviour's agony was terrible. He murmured in His 
sufferings: " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ? " 

This was at the ninth hour. 

The people were passing by in great crowds and mocking 
Him, bidding Him come down from the cross, and save 
himself. 

Two thieves were crucified with Him, one on the left, the 
other on the right. And at the sixth hour a dense blackness 
settled over the scene, so that all who saw it were terrified. 
And it lasted three hours. 

When Jesus had tasted of the vinegar He cried out with a 
loud voice: " It is finished!" And then He died. 

At that instant the earth shook as with an earthquake, and 
the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, 
while the people rushed in all directions, wild with terror. The 
centurion who had been set to watch Him, cried out with an 
earnest voice: 

" Truly this man was the Son of God!" 



142 



CALVARY. 




"IT IS FINISHED." 



The next day was the Sabbath, and the Jews did not wish 
to have Jesus and the two thieves left hanging upon the crosses 
that day, so they besought Pilate to have them taken down. It 
was usual for them to break the limbs of those who were cru- 
cified, so that they might die quicker. The thieves were still 



CALVARY. 



143 



living, so they hastened their deaths in this manner, but the 
Saviour was quite dead, as the soldiers found; but one of them 
pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water pourecf forth. 
Thus was the Scriptures fulfilled, wherein it was written: 

"A bone of Him shall not be broken." 

A rich man named Joseph of Arimathea, who had secretly 
been a disciple of Jesus, came to Pilate and begged that he 




DESCENT FROM THE CROSS. 



might have His body, and the ruler willingly consented. So he 
took away His precious body, and Nicodemus came to his house, 
and brought a large quantity of myrrh and aloes, nearly a hun- 
dred pound weight, with which to embalm Him. And they bore 
Jesus to a cave or a tomb which he had made in his own gar- 
den, and where no man had yet laid. 



144 



CALVARY. 



With loving hands and sorrowful hearts they wrapped Him 
in fine linen and carried Him to this tomb. 

Early the next morning, Mary, the mother of James, and 
Salome, and Mary Magdalene went to the sepulcher with sweet 
spices with which to anoint their Lord and Master. And they 




l&S^N*^ 



BURIAL OF CHRIST. 



saw that the stone was rolled away, and on entering the tomb 
they found that it was empty. Their Master had gone! But 
two angels stood there in shining garments, and they comforted 
them in this manner: 



CALVARY. 145 

" Why seek ye the living among the dead ? He is not here, 
but is risen. Remember how He spake unto you when He was 
in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the 
hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise 
again." 

So the women went away glad, and told the eleven and all 
the rest. 

Peter and John could not believe so wondrous a tale, and 
they ran quickly to the sepulcher, and though John stooped 
down and looked in, and saw the grave clothes there in a corner, 
he went not in. But Peter entered, and seeing that Jesus was 
no longer there, he, too, believed, and they went away to their 
own homes. 

Mary Magdalene, however, could not understand as yet, and 
she stood outside the tomb, weeping bitterly. She thought that 
the Jews had stolen the body of her beloved Jesus who had 
done so much for her; and she, too, looked in, and saw two 
angels in white, one sitting at the head, and one at the 
feet, where Jesus had lain. And they asked her why she 
wept. 

She was frightened, at being spoken to, but she answered: 
" Because they have taken my Lord away, and I know not where 
they have laid Him. ,, 

She turned away, still weeping bitterly, when she saw a form 
standing near, who asked her why she wept. Now Mary was 
blinded by her tears, and she supposed it was the gardener who 
had spoken, and she begged him to tell her if he had taken away 
her Saviour's body a>*d where he had laid it. 

Jesus spoke the one word, " Mary." 

lO 




CHRIST APPEARS TO MARY. 
146 




CALVARY. 



147 



She turned, and saw who had called her name, and with 
loving adoration she sprang toward Him, crying: 
"Master!" 

But He gently drew His garments away, saying: "Touch 
me not. I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to 




TEN OF THE DISCIPLES SAT WITH DOORS LOCKED. 



my brethren/and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and 
your Father, and to my God and to your God." 

That same evening, as ten of the disciples sat at supper with 
the doors locked, for they feared the Jews' anger, Jesus ao- 



148 



CALVARY. 



peared in their midst, and said unto them: " Peace be unto you." 
He showed them His hands and side. How happy they 
were to see their dear Lord once more. 

Thomas, one of the eleven, was not there, and when the 
other disciples told him of the blessed privilege they had enjoyed, 
he would not believe them. He was like many we see, dear 
children, who cannot believe by faith. They do not know what 
a beautiful thing it is to trust completely, b;;* even such as they 
will be satisfied, if they search the Scriptures thoroughly. 




GOING TO EMMAUS. 



Two men journeying to Emmaus, were walking along the 
dusty road that day, when they met a stranger. These men 
belonged to the Seventy whom Christ had sent forth to heal. 

As they talked of the sad events that had taken place this 
stranger asked them why they were sorrowful. And they told 
him all about Jesus, his death and burial, and how disappointed 
they were, for they thought He was the Messiah. 



CALVARY. 



149 



He told them they did not understand the Scriptures, and 
He talked to them and explained so clearly that they were de- 
lighted, and they asked Him to abide with them for the night. 

When the supper was prepared, they gave Him the seat of 
honor. And He blessed the bread, and broke it. 




DOUBTING THOMAS. 



Their eyes were opened at once. They knew Him— He was 
their dear Master! 

And when they would have spoken further, He vanished 
from their sight. 

Eight days later they were all together again, Thomas with 
the rest; the doors were closed, when suddenly Jesus again 
stood among them, and said: 






450 CALVARY. 



" Peace be unto you." 

And He bade Thomas reach forth his hand, and thrust it 
into His side, and be not faithless, but believing. 

Thomas could no longer doubt, but he exclaimed earnestly: 
"My Lord and my God." 



CHAPTER XXV. 

CHRIST APPEARS AGAIN. 

Once more Christ showed Himself to His disciples, at the 
Sea of Tiberias. 

They were fishing, but had been out all night with no suc- 
cess. As the morning broke, and they were tired and weary, 
they saw a man standing upon the shore, who called to them in 
kind tones: 

" Children, have you any fish ? " And they said sadly, " No, 
we have caught none." 

Then He said, " Cast the net on the right side of the ship, 
and ye shall find plenty." They obeyed, and the net became so 
full they could not draw it up. 

John knew at once whose care was over them, and he said 
joyfully: 

"It is the Lord!" 

Peter was so rejoiced that he threw himself into the sea to 
swim to shore. He could not wait for the overloaded boat to 
reach there. And when the boat touched the land they saw a 
fire of coals, and fish and bread laid thereon. 

And, better still, they found Jesus there. He invited them 
to dine. Then after the meal was over, He said to Peter: 
" Lovest thou me ? " 

Peter replied fervently: "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I 
love Thee." 

Twice more he asked Peter if he loved Him, and that disciple 
was much grieved, for he thought his Lord did not believe him. 

lSl 



152 CHRIST APPEARS AGAIN. 

Each time he declared that he did, and then Jesus said to him: 
" Feed my sheep." He wished Peter to devote himself to the 
great work which He had been carrying on— healing sinners, and 
bringing them to repentance. 

Three times Peter denied his Master on that terrible night, 
when he had declared he knew Him not, and Jesus wished to 
remind him of that falsehood. So three times He led him to de- 
clare that he loved Him. Peter never faltered again. He was 
one of the most earnest among those whom the Saviour left to 
do His will. 

Many great miracles he was allowed to perform, through 
God's power, and his epistles are full of thanks for the grace 
given to him. 

The time was growing very short when Jesus would no 
more be with them. Forty days only He dwelt among them 
after He rose from the dead, but how much He taught them in 
that time. Ever He was the same loving Saviour that He had 
been, "is now, and ever will be." 

He taught them how to understand the Scriptures, and that 
they must teach all men that they must repent of their sins, 
and that pardon would be granted them through His precious 
name. He told them they were witnesses of all He had done, 
and they must speak of those things to all people. 

He had given His disciples, before His death, a promise, 
and now He was ready to redeem it. It was, that He would 
appear to them after He had risen from the dead, on a mountain, 
where many could see and recognize Him. 

This was joyful news, and hundreds flocked to that spot, 
anxious, so anxious to once more see the dear Lord who had 



CHRIST APPEARS AGAIN. 153 

been crucified by his enemies, but had risen triumphant. 

Men, women, and even little children hurried up that steep 
mountain side. And there they saw Him! to F's own dear 
form He stood before them, and spoke in such loud, clear tones 
that every one of that vast number heard Him: 

" All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth " 
7 Remember that, my dear children — " all power is given unto 
Jesus." Through Him alone can you find pardon and 
peace. 

And He said also: " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, 
baptizing them as I have done, and teach them as I have taught 
you. • 

" For lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the 
world." 

This He said to the disciples, who were to go out upon mis- 
sions to all mankind, to be the bearers of good tidings. 

He told them to begin at Jerusalem, that city which He had 
loved so tenderly, but whose people had mocked and despised 
Him, and tormented Him ere they crucified Him. 

Now He took His last walk with those disciples who had 
dwelt with Him so long. He led them out as far as Bethany, 
that beautiful little town on the Mount of Olives. And as He 
walked He told them what they must do. They must begin 
their preaching at Jerusalem, but they were to spread the Gospel 
everywhere. 

On and on they walked, past the places where He had been 
so often, out to a more lonely spot upon the hillside. 

The eventful moment had come. He was about to leave 
them alone, to do His work, and lifting up His pierced hands, 



; 



154 CHRIST APPEARS AGAIN. 

which bore the cruel marks of the nails, He solemnly blessed 
them. 

A cloud came down and overshadowed them. He was 
caught up into this cloud, and surrounded by myriads of shining 
angels, He was hidden from their sight. 

Two angels, with garments white as snow, stood near them, 
as they eagerly strained their eyes to catch a last glimpse of 
Jesus. They spoke thus to them: 

"Why do you stand gazing up into heaven ? Jesus, who is 
taken up from you, will come again some day in the same 
manner." 

Then they went back to Jerusalem, praising God, happy and 
content. They had been left without their Master's daily com- 
panionship, but He had poured out His holy spirit upon them, 
and had commanded them to do a great work. How well they 
obeyed Him, we shall tell you now. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

CHOOSING A NEW APOSTLE— DAY OF PENTECOST. 

When Jesus ascended into heaven, and had gone away from 
those who had been with Him every day, and from the people, 
some of whom had followed Him to listen and believe, while 
others sneered and blasphemed, the disciples returned to Jeru- 
salem to watch and pray, and Peter, who was the eldest, stood 
up and said that as Judas was no longer among them, the say- 
ings of Scripture must be fulfilled— his habitation must be des- 
olate, and his place as a minister another must take. 

So they prayed for help to know whom to choose. They 
had thought of two, Joseph and Matthias. 

When they had prayed, they cast lots, and the choice fell 
upon Matthias, so he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

The Day of Pentecost had come. This was one of the 
three great feast days among the Jews, and fell on the fiftieth 
day after the Feast of the Passover. 

On that day, just ten after the ascension of Christ, the apos- 
tles were all gathered together at one place, when on that crowd 
of women, apostles, and men gathered there to the number of 
120, " suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing, 
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were 
sitting. 

"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of 
fire, and it sat upon each of them." 

Was this not a wonderful thing, and did it not show that 
God had kept His word, and sent His Holy Spirit upon them? 

155 




DAY OF PENTECOST. 
156 



CHOOSING A NEW APOSTLE— DAY OF PENTECOST. 157 

The strangest part of this was, that though the apostles were 
Galileans, they proclaimed the glory of God, and His wonderful 
power in every language, so that every man who heard them 
speak, listened to his own tongue. This was called " the gift of 
tongues," and Peter, who heard the people murmuring as usual, 
some admiring, and others making f un^spoke to them, and told 
them that the apostles spoke by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

He told them that the Jesus of Nazareth whom they had 
wickedly slain, was raised from the dead, and sat on His throne 
in heaven, and that He had promised them He would pour out 
His Spirit upon them, and He had kept His promise that day. 

He earnestly declared that the being whom they had all seen 
and despised, was the Lord and Saviour, who alone could save 
them. 

The people began to grow alarmed. They knew they had 
been wicked and unbelieving, and their hearts were troubled. 
" What shall we do ? " they asked Peter and the rest of the 
apostles. 

" Repent and be baptized in the name . : T °*us Christ," he 
answered. 

They gladly heeded his advice. They repented truly, and 
in that solemn hour they cast away their sins and became as 
Jesus would have them, like little children. 

Peter's earnest preaching added about 3,000 souls to the 
cnui^,;, 2nd they remained true to their promises to their 
heavenly Father. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

PETER HEALS A LAME MAN. 

Peter and John went up into the temple when the hour of 
prayer had come, and as they passed through a gate which was 
called Beautiful, a lame man sat there begging. He had been 
lame from his birth. As his eyes rested on the two apostles 
he asked them for help. 

Peter bade him look at John and himself. The man thought 
they were going to give him some money. But Peter said 
solemnly: 

"Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give unto 
thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and 
walk!" 

This man who had never walked without help before, leaped 
to his feet, and went into the temple praising God, while all the 
people marveled. 

Was not this gift of strength and healing far more to be de- 
sired than mere gold or silver? The first act of this man was 
to praise and thank God. He gave the first fruits of his grati- 
tude to his Father in heaven. 

Those who saw him walk, were all amazed, and they ran 
after the man who had been lame, talking about his restoration 
and expressing their wonder. 

Peter again reproached them with their hardness of heart in 
not accepting that Jesus whom they had been told so much 
about. He assured them that neither John nor he had worked 
this miracle, but the power had come through One whom they 
had crucified. 

158 



PETER HEALS A LAME MAN. 159 

His words fell heavily on their ears, for they knew they were 
guilty of hardening their consciences. And many who heard 
his voice believed from that hour. 

Bitter anger filled the souls of the rulers when they heard 
these things, and they had Peter and John seized and brought 
before them the next morning — for it was now eventide, and 
too late to examine and question them. 

And when the apostles were set before Annas, and Caiaphas 
and John and Alexander, they questioned them by what power 
or in whose name they had done that deed ? 

Peter was no longer the timid coward who denied his Mas- 
ter three times, but, full of zeal and courage, he replied boldly: 

" Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that 
by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, 
whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man 
stand here before you, whole." 

You must feel glad, children, to see he was no longer afraid 
to speak for his Master. 

The rulers and chief priests could make no answer. They 
saw the man who had been healed standing there, and they 
knew that Peter and John had been disciples of Christ when 
He was on earth. So ordering them to go outside the council, 
they planned to frighten and threaten them, so that they would 
do no more miracles or teach the people any further. They 
called the two apostles in, and gave them commands to this 
effect. 

They could not alarm Peter and John, for they were doing 
the Lord's work. Man's threats had no power over them. 
They both answered that they must speak what they saw and 



160 



PETER HEALS A LAME MAN, 



heard. The priests threatened what they would do, but they 
let Peter and John go, for they could find nothing for which to 
punish them. 

The two apostles went at once to the company of belie rs 
and told what had been said to them, and they rejoiced 
loudly, and prayed; and while they were praying, the place was 




shaken violently and they were all filled with the Spirit, and 
spoke boldly the word of God. 

They loved God with all their hearts, and determined to 
share all they had with each other. Those who had lands or 
houses sold them, and brought the money to the apostles, who 
gave to every man as he had need. 



PETER HEALS A LAME MAN. 161 

Peter was ever ready to speak of the great mercies which 
had been shown him; he would not be silenced, but was bold 
in speaking of Christ and His goodness. In the words of the 
Psalmist, he loved to invite the people to " come and talk of 
Christ" 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

SAPPHIRA AND ANANIAS STRUCK DEAD. 

Among these followers who were ready to give up every- 
thing they owned was a man named Ananias. He was covetous 
and selfish, and could not loose what he had accumulated, not 
even to the Lord. So he made a plan with his wife, Sapphira, 
that they should sell his land, but he would keep part of the 
money he got, and make Peter think he had given it all up. 
But Peter knew better; he could detect the fraud at once. 

So he asked Ananias why he had let Satan put it into his 
heart to try to cheat the Lord. He told him that he had lied to 
his Maker who could not be deceived. 

He spoke with such power and looked so angry, that Ananias 
was convicted at once, and he fell prostrate on the ground, at 
Peter's feet, and died. 

Alas, this poor man did not feel the force of the blessing 
promised in Proverbs. He looked to earthly possessions for 
happiness, and forgot that it was better to be poor in purse, 
than poor in spirit, for indeed most truly " The blessing of the 
Lord, it maketh rich." 

Then a great fear came upon those who saw this terrible 
punishment. The young men arose, and wrapping the dead 
man's garments about him, and carrying him out, they laid him 
in the grave. 

His wife did not know what had become of her husband as 
she came into the house where the apostles were, about three 
hours after. Peter wanted to see if she would tell the truth, 

162 



SAPPHIRA AND ANANIAS STRUCK DEAD. 



\& 




and so he asked her if she sold the land for so much, meaning 
the amount which had been given him. 

She answered without any hesitation: " Yes, for so much/' 

Then Peter was indignant, and he asked her how she dared 
to agree with her husband to defy the Lord. 

" Behold," he said, "the feet of them who have buried thy 
nusband, are at the door, and shall carry thee out." 

She spoke not a word, but falling at his feet, she died, as did 
her husband, and the same young men buried her by his side. 

Was that not a dreadful judgment upon this man and his 
wife? They should not have listened to the temptings of 
Satan, but should have acted honestly and truthfully They 
couV not deceive their Lord. 



i64 SAPPHIKA AND ANANIAS STRUCK DEAD. 

These things agitated the people, and they began to flock 
in still greater numbers to hear the apostles, and to bring their 
sick to be cured. And all who were brought were healed. 

The high priests were very indignant now. They saw that 
these works of mercy were going on, in spite of their com- 
mands, and they feared that soon all the people would believe 
on the Christ whom they had slain. 

They ordered the apostles thrown into prison with the crim- 
inals and malefactors. 

In the night an angel threw open the doors, and the apostles 
went out, while he said to them: 

" Go and stand in the temple, and speak the words of truth 
to them:' 

The next morning when the high priest called the council 
together, they sent for the prisoners. The officers came back 
and told them that the prison doors were locked, and the guards 
were standing without, but when they opened the huge doors, 
the prison was empty! 

Great was their surprise, and they did not know what would 
come next. While they were talking about this wonderful 
escape, a man came in and told them that the men who had 
been put in prison were in the temple preaching. 

The captain and other officers hurried to the temple, and 
took them gently into custody. They knew if they used rough- 
ness they would assuredly be stoned by the people, for they, 
many of them, loved these teachers. 

Again the high priest asked them why they still preached 
against his orders, but Peter fearlessly replied: 

"We must obey God rather than men." 



SAPPHIRA AND ANANIAS STRUCK DEAD. 165 

He said much more to these wicked rulers, and they grew 
so fierce in their anger, that they resolved to kill the apostles. 

One among them, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was a 
doctor of law, and a man of some influence, stood up and advised 
the others not to do so wicked an act. He wisely said: 

" If this counsel or work be of men, it will come to 
nothing. 

" But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it. Look out 
that you are not found fighting against God." 

The other chief priests listened to his well-chosen argu- 
ments, and yet they were resolved to punish the apostles for 
their disobedience, so they ordered them beaten, and let them 
depart. 

They went their way, rejoicing that they were considered 
worthy to suffer for their beloved Jesus. 

And still every day in the temple, and in all the houses near, 
they taught and spoke to the people of Jesus. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

STEPHEN DIES A MARTYR. 

The disciples were growing in numbers, and yet there were 
not enough to instruct those who would .listen. The people 
began to murmur because the poorer ones were neglected. So 
the Twelve called the other disciples to them, and appointed 
several men or deacons, as we would call them, who took charge 
)f the alms and dealt them out to the needy. 

One of these deacons, Stephen, was very earnest in doing 
^ood. He was full of faith and love, and he worked great mir- 
acles among the poor. 

Because he did these works, certain of the synagogue 
hated him, and violently disputed with him. He spoke with 
such wisdom that they were silenced, but their hearts were very 
wicked, and they hired men to s^y that they heard him talk im- 
piously against Moses, and against God. 

They made this a pretext to seize him and bring him before 
the council. Every one who looked upon his face saw that it 
was pure and holy like an angel's. 

When he was accused by these enemies, of blasphemy, he 
answered for himself. He told them about Moses, and how he 
delivered the children of Israel from bondage, and how Moses 
had foretold the coming of Christ. And this good Stephen 
stood there and defied the cruel men around him. He said to 
them: 

" You stiff-necked people, you always turn against the Holy 
Spirit. As your fathers did, so do ye/' 

166 



STEPHEN DIES A MARTYR. 



167 



He told them their fathers had always persecuted the 
prophets, and those who told of the coming of Christ, whom 
they had now betrayed and murdered. 

How the council frowned on him, and gnashed their teeth 




THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. STEPHEN. 



in rage. They could not bear to hear the truth. 
Stephen, looking steadily up into heaven, said: 
" I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing 

on the right hand of God." 

This was more than they could endure. They placed their 



168 STEPHEN DIES A MARTYR. 

hands over their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord, 
and bore him out of the city. 

They laid down his clothes at the feet of a young man 
named Saul. 

What did Stephen do ? Did he call down punishment upon 
his murderers? No, while they beat him and stoned him, and 
the cruel blows were rained upon him, he kept crying, " Lord 
receive my spirit." Then he kneeled down and asked God not 
to blame them for what they were doing; and with that loving 
prayer upon his lips, "he fell asleep." 

Thus died the first martyr for the church of God. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

PHILIP CONVERTS A RICH MAN. 

From this time the good men who were trying to make 
other people better, were treated very cruelly. The church 
which they were trying to establish at Jerusalem was perse- 
cuted continually, and those who believed, were scattered 
everywhere. 

Philip, a very good man, who had been made a deacon, went 
down to Samaria, and there he told the people about that dear 
Lord who had been crucified, and who was willing to receive 
them. 

He did many miracles, for God gave him the power. Wicked 
spirits came out of those who were possessed by them, and 
the lame and the palsied came to be healed; and there was great 
joy in all the places round. 

A man named Simon, a great sorcerer, dwelt in the city of 
Samaria. He had always been very much talked about because 
he could do some very strange things, and he always pretended 
that he was a very remarkable man and should be held in great 
awe. Many thought he had this power from God. But he 
had not. 

Simon became curious to hear Philip, and when he saw the 
great miracles he was doing, and that so many people were 
being baptized, he went to him and told him he believed, and 
wanted him to baptize him too. So Philip baptized him, but 
Simon was only watching the apostle so as to learn how he did 
those miracles. He could not understand that it was through 

169 



170 PHILIP CONCERTS A Rich MAN. 

the spirit which God poured upon His followers that they were 
worked out. He thought that it was an art that could be taught 
by man. 

He went to Peter one day, after that apostle had laid his 
hands upon a sick man, and cured him, and said: 

" Give me also this power, that I, too, may do these 
wonders." 

He also offered him money to teach him how to heal. 

Peter answered him with sternness: 

" Thy money perish with thee. Thou hast thought that the 
gift of God can be bought with money." 

He told him that his heart was wicked yet— it had not been 
made clean, and he must pray to God for forgiveness for the 
wicked desires he cherished. 

Simon was humbled, and ashamed. 

He begged Peter to pray to the Lord for him, that no evil 
come upon him for his impious offer. He was more afraid of 
the punishment, than he was of thinking wrong. 

Would it not have been far better to have said that he had 
done wrong, and asked God to forgive him, than to fear the 
penalty, and not feel sorry for the sin ? 

Philip was a very earnest preacher, and he brought many 
people to see the truth and follow it. 

One day an angel appeared to him and told him to go to the 
south part of the country. This was a desert, and Philip, though 
he may have wondered in his heart what there was for him to 
do there, went at once. And he soon learned what he was sent 
there for. As he went along the road he met a man of great 
authority, a man who had a very important position, for he had 



PHILIP CONCERTS A RICH MAN. 



171 



charge of all the treasures belonging to Candace, Queen of the 
Ethiopians. He had been to Jerusalem to worship, in the tem- 
ple, and was now going home. 

When Philip met him he was sitting in his chariot reading 
from Esaias, the prophet. And the spirit said to Philip: 

" Go near his chariot/' 




Philip went straight toward him, and asked him if he under- 
stood the book he was reading. 

The great man acknowledged that he did not, and he wished 
some one would explain it to him, and he invited Philip to sit 
in his chariot with him. 

He was reading that passage which the prophet had written 



172 PHILIP CONCERTS A RICH MAN. 

so long before, in whichhesaid: " He was led as a sheep to the 
slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened 
he not his mouth." 

" I am sure the little children who have read this book so far, 
who was meant by this Lamb. But this man, who was so high 
in power, could not understand it. 

Philip took pity on him, for he saw that he really wished to 
learn, and at once, when the Ethiopian asked him whether the 
prophet spoke of himself or some other man, made answer that 
it was Jesus of whom this had been foretold. He went on and 
preached about him with such power that the rich man, by 
whose side he sat, wanted to be baptized at once into this new 
faith. He said: 

" Here is a stream, what hinders my being baptized ?" 

And Philip wishing to test him, said: " If thou believest 
with all thy heart, thou mayest." 

And he replied: " I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of 
God." 

He bade the chariot to halt, and Philip baptized him at once, 
and as soon as they had come out of the water, Philip disap- 
peared. The Spirit hid him from his companion's sight, but the 
man who had thus found peace in believing, went homeward 
happy and content. 

Philip was next found at Azotus; and he went into all the 
cities, never growing weary of his mission, and at last he went 
down to Cesarea. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

SAUL IS CONVERTED. 

You remember that Saul was one of those who consented 
to the death of Stephen. Saul was a Grecian Jew, so called 
because he was born outside of Palestine, but he was a rigid 
Pharisee. He hated the Christians, and he asked the Sanhe- 
drim, the great religious body, for permission to search out all 
who believed on Jesus, and bring them to punishment. 

Think how cruel and wicked he was. He would not spare 
even women, but brought them bound with chains to Jerusalem. 

While h€ was going on this errand, he came near Damascus, 
when suddenly a bright light shone all about him, and he was 
so startled that he fell on the ground, when he heard a voice 
saying: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? " 

He asked with trembling voice, "Lord, who art thou?" 
The same voice made answer—" I am Jesus whom thou per- 
secutest." 

He knew in a moment that he had been very wicked, and 
he humbly asked the Lord what He would have him do ? 

He was told to go into the city, and there he would learn 
what was required of him. He opened his eyes but he was 
blind. He could see no one. The men that were with him, 
heard the voice, but they could see no person. 

So they took Saul by the hand, and led him into Damascus. 
Three days he neither ate nor drank, nor could he see the light 
of day, or face of man. There was a certain disciple who 
lived at Damascus named Ananias. And he had a vision from 

173 



174 SAUL IS CONCERTED. 

the Lord, in which he was told to go to a certain street named 
Straight, and ask for Saul of Tarsus. And when he found him, 
'ie was to lay his hands upon him, and bring back his sight. 

Ananias was a little astonished that he should be sent on 
such an errand, and he said to the Lord, he had heard of Saul, 
how wicked he was, and how much evil he had done to the 
believers at Jerusalem. 

The Lord told this disciple to do as he had said, for he had 
chosen Saul to bear His name and sound His praises before the 
Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel. 

Ananias went as he was told, and when he entered the 
house where he was, saluted him as " Brother," and he touched 
his eyes, saying that the Lord Jesus had sent him. The dark- 
ness fell at once from his eyes, and he saw and was baptized. 

From that time he preached the beautiful truth that Jesus 
was the Son of God, and many listened to him and believed. 

Saul or Paul was the first missionary who labored outside 
the Jewish people, for he taught that the Jews and Gentiles 
were equal under the new dispensation — the religion of 
love. 

He was ever after called Paul, though why he changed his 
name we are not told, but it may have been because as Saul 
he had been so cruel that when he became a new man, he 
wished to take a new name. 

But the holy book tells us that he was called, henceforth, 
Paul. The Jews were confounded when they saw this strange 
miracle. Why, they had looked upon Paul as one of the most 
bitter persecutors the disciples had, and now he had become a 
disciple with them. That was more than they could submit too, 



SAUL IS CONCERTED. 



175 



so when he preached so boldly the faith he had embraced, they 

lay in wait to kill him. 

But as the thirty-fourth Psalm, seventh verse says: 

"The angel of the Lord encampeth about them that fear 

him, and delivereth them." 

So Paul put his trust in the Lord, protected by a higher 



The angel of tee 
Lord encampeth 
about them that 
fear him, and be- 
livereth them. 





power than man, and as they were about to seize him, and 
were watching the gates of the city day and night, the disciples 
waited until it was quite dark one night, and lowered him over 
the walls of the city in a basket and he escaped their hatred, 
and went to Jerusalem, where he joined the disciples, although 
at first they were doubtful of him, for they could not believe 
he had been truly converted. 







176 SAUL IS CONCERTED. 

But Barnabas went with him and proved to them how 
sincere Paul was, and how well he had labored in the name 
of Jesus, and they welcomed him then, as a brother. When 
the Grecians tried to slay him, they sent him down to Tarsus, 
his native city, to preach the word of God. 

They would take the word of Barnabas as to Paul's sincerity, 
for he, although a Jew of the tribe of Levi, and born of 
wealthy parents, was one of the original seventy disciples. 
His name was Joseph, and he had done much to rid the Chris- 
tian faith of senseless Jewish forms, and had also done much 
missionary work. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

PETER WORKS MIRACLES. 

Peter was busy, healing and teaching,. As he was journey- 
ing from place to place, he found himself one day at Lydda. 
There was a man there who had been eight years lying on a 
bed, unable to rise. He- was palsied. 

Peter said to him, " Eneas, Jesus will make you whole. 
Rise, and make thy bed." The man rose and walked, a well 
man, and a rejoicing one. Some who knew of this deed, " turned 
to the Lord." 

But the miracles which God gave Peter power to perform 
were not ended. Near to Lydda was a small place called Joppa, 
where a woman lived, who had led a very good life. She had 
always done all she could for the Lord, and had been very gen- 
erous to the poor. 

She was taken sick, and died, and after they had prepared 
her for burial, they laid her in an upper shamber. 

They sent two men to Peter, asking him to come to Joppa, 
where Dorcas lay dead. Peter, always ready to do his Master's 
work, went with these men, and coming to the house, he was 
met by many poor women who were weeping bitterly, for 
they had lost a kind friend. 

Peter bidding them leave the room, knelt down in prayer. 
Then turning toward the woman who lay de; i, he said, " Dor- 
cas, arise." 

She opened her eyes, and then seeing Peter, she sat up; 
taking her by the hand, he called the women and showed them 
their kind benefactor, Dorcas, alive. 

12 177 



178 



PETER WORKS MIRACLES. 



Great was the rejoicing among her friends, and the number 
who came to the Lord, on hearing of this miracle, was very 
great. 

The Gentiles were despised by nearly every one, and when 
the disciples heard that Peter had eaten with some of these 
people, they spoke to him about it, but he told them that he 
had been given a vision from heaven, in which he was com- 
manded to eat with any one who believed, and was made clean. 

" For," said Peter, " God is no respecter of persons. But 
He accepts all from any nation or people who feareth Him and 
worketh good deeds." 

All that is needed to secure that acceptance is to " Believe 
on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." 







PETER WORKS MIRACLES. 179 

God loves best the humble and the meek, and those who 
follow His ways. Wealth and position have no weight with 
Him. He gives heed to those who love and honor Him, no 
matter how poor or lowly they may be. 

Ever since Stephen had perished at the hands of the Jews, 
the disciples had been scattered abroad, and had been in Phe- 
nicia and Cyprus, and other distant countries, and had talked to 
the Jews only. But now they came back to Antioch, and began 
to preach to the Greeks, and the blessing of the Spirit followed 
them, and hundreds were converted. The church at Jerusalem 
sent Barnabas, who was a very good and devout man, down 
there, and bade him help the disciples, and he went first to 
Tarsus, to find Paul. Together they journeyed to Antioch, and 
there they spent a whole year, teaching the people. It was 
here in Antioch, that they first began to be called Christians. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

PETER IS DELIVERED FROM PRISON. 

Herod Agrippa was the king at that time, and he was another 
wicked man, as all the Herods had been before him. He hated 
the Christians and began to persecute them. And he seized 
James, the brother of John, and had him cut to death with a 
sword. 

You remember that these two brothers were Zebedee's 
children, and their mother had asked Jesus when He was on 
earth to give her two sons places on His right and left hand. 
He had promised her that they should drink out of His cup, 
and now His word was fulfilled — James had died for his Lord's 
glory. 

This cruel deed pleased the Jews so much, that Herod 
added another crime to his others. He had Peter seized and 
thrown into prison. He placed four quaternions of soldiers 
to guard him by turns, and determined after the Easter had 
passed, to give him up to the people: God had other inten- 
tions for Peter, and in the night, when the soldiers were sleep- 
ing because they knew that Peter was bound with chains, the 
dark and gloomy prison was illumined with a light like day. An 
angel stood there who touched him on the side and said, " Arise 
quickly." 

The chains fell from his hands and rattled down upon the 
hard stone floor, but the soldiers did net awaken. And he told 
Peter to wrap his garments about him and put on his sandals 
and follow him. 

180 



PETER IS DELIVERED FROM PRISON. 



m 




THE LIBERATION OF ST. PETER. 



He moved quickly after the angel, and together they passed 
through the wards of the prison, until they came to the heavy 
gate, which was locked, when it flew open of its own accord. 
The angel then disappeared, and Peter gave thanks to the Lord, 
whom he knew had delivered him from the hands of those who 
would have killed him. 

Peter went at once to the home of the mother of Mark, 
where he knew he would find friends. 

The girl who came to the gate to admit him, when she heard 
Peter speak, was so glad to hear his voice, that she ran in and 



182 PETER IS DELIVERED FROM PRISON. 

told the assembled guests who was just outside the door. 

They said to the girl, whose name was Rhoda — "You have 
lost your senses." She said she had not, and Peter kept on 
knocking. So some, bolder than the rest, opened the door, 
and were astonished to see him, for they thought he was still 
in prison, and they could not tell how he had escaped. 

He motioned to them not to cry out aloud, and then he told 
them how the angel sent by the Lord had brought him out. 
He knew his life would not be safe there, and so he went away 
into another place. 

As soon as it was day the soldiers discovered that he had 
gone, and were very much alarmed because he could be found 
nowhere in the prison. And cruel Herod was so angry, that he 
had the two keepers put to death. 

After arraying himself in rich garments and seating himself 
upon his throne, he made a long speech to the people. And 
they shouted that he spoke with the voice of a god, and not as 
a common man. He took their praise with great pleasure, and 
did not deny that he was not worthy of it, and God smote him 
sorely, " and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." 

This Herod, of whom I have been telling you, was a grand- 
son of Herod the Great, who was king when the Saviour was 
born. 

After he had thus impiously allowed the people to worship 
him as a divine being, the hand of God fell upon him and he 
died this miserable death, after having reigned seven years. 

After his death, "the word grew and multiplied." Earnestly 
the apostles labored, and the people everywhere flocked to hear 
them. 



PETER IS DELIVERED FROM PRISON. 183 

The hatred and opposition which always followed the truth 
was close upon them. After working many miracles, and bring- 
ing many Jews and Gentiles to accept the truth, the persecu- 
tions by the Jews became more open, and Paul and Barnabas 
were driven out of the country, and they departed into 
Iconium. 

Here the unbelieving Jews made the people think they were 
false teachers, and they grew so fierce against the two apostles, 
that a plot was laid to stone them to death. Their time had not 
come, however, to die. God had more work for them to per- 
form. So He put it into their hearts to flee into Lystra, and 
there they preached the gospel to the region that lay all around. 
Here, as well as everywhere else, sickness and sorrow were to 
be found. A man who had never walked a step in his life, was 
sitting where he could hear Paul's voice. This man had faith 
in his heart— faith that he could he cured through Paul's help. 
The apostle looked upon him, and in a loud voice called to him 
to stand on his feet. He sprang up, and walked with a firm 
step away. 

The people cried out that the gods were come down to 
earth in the forms of men. You see they did not give the 
credit to the one only and true God, but they believed that their 
heathen gods had done this great miracle. 

Wishing to honor Paul and his companion, Barnabas, they 
called them Jupiter and Mercury. And the priests of Jupiter 
brought oxen and flowers to the gates, and would have sacrificed 
them to show their pleasure. 

This displeased the two apostles. They knew that God 
alone deserved the glorv, and they tore their garments as a 



184 



PETER IS DELIVERED FROM PRISON. 



mark of sorrow, and went out among the people, and reproved 
them sternly for their idolatry, telling them that they were but 
men like themselves, and that they had come to preach unto 
them the truths of the living God, who would have them turn 
from such vanities and worship only Him. 

The people listened, not half understanding them, and still 
they insisted on offering up these sacrifices. 

Certain Jews came down to Lystra and Derbe about this 
time, who inflamed the multitude that had gathered there, and 
they rushed upon Paul with stones, and beat him so that they 
thought they had killed him, and they dragged him out of the 
city, and left him. 

God's loving care was over him, and while the other disci- 



We then that are 
strong ought to 1 

T IT • %• 

bear the infirrni- mSm 
ties of the weak. 



Romans xv. 






PETER IS DELIVERED FROM PRISON. 185 

pies stood over his seemingly lifeless body, lamenting and 
mourning, he rose up and returned to the city. The next day 
he went with Barnabas to Jerusalem, and there they taught 
many. 

After visiting many places, and speaking to all who would 
hear, they went to Antioch once more, and remained a long 
time with the other disciples, ever doing the work of their 
Master. 

They always remembered to be gentle and forbearing with 
those who sinned through weakness and ignorance, for they 
practiced the grand doctrine that " We that are strong ought to 
bear with the infirmities of the weak." 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

PAUL AND SILAS ARRESTED. 

Paul had now chosen Silas for an associate in his labors, 
while Barnabas took John, and each had gone in different direc- 
tions, to spread the gospel. Timothy was also chosen to ac- 
company them; he was set apart to the ministry, and was a 
very faithful disciple. A vision appeared to Paul, and he was 
called in that vision to go to Macedonia. Thither he went and 
preached to the women who went to the river side to hear 
prayer. 

A woman named Lydia, who dealt in merchandise, and 
whose heart was open to instruction, drew near to the apostle, 
and he baptized her and all her family. She offered freely, the 
comforts of her home to all the disciples. She regarded it as 
an honor to receive these ministers of the gospel in her house, 
but she feared lest she should not be deemed worthy to enter- 
tain them. 

A girl who had been a soothsayer or teller of the future, "a 
fortune-teller " as we would call them now, followed Paul and 
Silas, and testified to their sincerity and power, and declared 
she would no more make monev for her employers, in that 
wicked manner. 

This made them very angry, and they seized Paul and Silas, 
and forced them to go before the rulers, where they complained 
of them that they taught the people customs which were not 
lawful. 

They were adjudged guilty, and were beaten with many 

186 



PAUL AND SILAS ARRESTED. 187 

stripes and afterward thrown into prison. The jailer was cau- 
tioned to watch them very closely, so that they should not 
escape. He carried them into an inner dungeon, and had their 
feet fastened in the stocks, so that they could not run away. 

This did not keep Paul and Silas from praising God with all 
their strength. They sang hymns of joy and praise unto their 
Creator, and their voices sounded through the prison, so that 
all the prisoners heard them. 

Suddenly, at midnight, a great earthquake shook the walls of 
the prison; the doors flew open, and the ropes and chains fell 
from the hands of all who were bound. The keeper sprang to 
his feet in fright, for he had been in a deep sleep, and seeing 
the doors standing open, he drew his sword and would have 
killed himself in despair, for he thought the captives had all 
escaped. 

But Paul exclaimed : " Do thyself no harm ! We are all here/' 

Then calling for a light, the jailer sprang into Paul's dungeon, 
and falling down before the disciples, he entreated them to tell 
him what he should do to be saved. 

Their answer was: " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
thou shalt be saved and all thy house." 

How little is asked of us! Remember, dear children, that 
"Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, 
even as they." 

His soul was made glad, and he pitied Paul and Silas, because 
they had been scourged, and with his own hands he bathed the 
cruel marks, and took them to his home, and set food before 
them. And the keeper and all his house rejoiced in their new- 
found hope. 



188 



PAUL AND SILAS ARRESTED. 




In the morning the magistrates sent word that they might 
leave the prison, but Paul would not go away quietly, and with- 
out being heard, so he refused to leave, saying that they had 
been beaten in public without being guilty of any wrong, and 
as they were Roman citizens, the magistrates must come them- 
selves and give them their liberty. 

The officials were much annoyed when they began to think 
how they had condemned and punished two innocent men, and 
they went at once to where they were, and begged them to 
come out and leave the city. 

Paul and Silas went at once to the house of Lydia, where 
they found the rest of their friends, and after having assured 
them that they were steadfast in the faith, and were well and 
happy, they departed to other places. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 

From one city to another Paul journeyed, teaching boldly 
the word of God, and never tiring. He wrote letters to the 
churches to strengthen them. He was a zealous missionary, 
and was the means of working special miracles. 

He sailed from Philippi, and went to Troas. Upon the first 
day of the week, when the disciples came together to celebrate 
the Lord's supper, he preached to them, and so earnest did he 
grow, that he did not end his sermon until midnight. The large 
upper chamber was lit up brightly, and many staid to hear him. 

A young man named Eutychus, having been overcome with 
sleep, fell from the window where he sat, down onto the ground, 
and when they raised him up they said he was dead. 

Paul went down to where he had fallen, and throwing his 
arms around him, he assured them that he was living. The 
young man's friends were very glad, and they brought him in 
the house again, alive and well. 

Paul would not go in the ship with the other disciples, who 
were going to Miletus. He chose to walk hither, that he might 
preach by the wayside. On reaching that city he called all the 
elders of the many churches that were founded, and begged 
them to guard well the flo :ks which were committed to their 
care; and to sriun disputes and temptations. He wanted them 
to be steadfast and endure abuse and misunderstanding, for it 
would all work to the glory of God. 

He reminded them how faithfully he had labored, and he 

189 



190 PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 

wanted them to do the same. He had not only worked to 
spread the gospel, but he had toiled with his own hands to 
maintain himself, that he should not use the means which the 
cause of Christ needed. He said also, that he was going away, 
and they would see his face no more. 

"I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye 
ought to support the weak, and so remember the words of the 
Lord Jesus, how He said, it was more blessed to give than to 
receive." 

He also exhorted them, as he afterward did in his Epistle 
to the Galatians, to take notice that " The fruit of the Spirit is 
love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law." 

He then knelt down and prayed with them all. And they 
wept, and kissed Paul, for they loved him and wished to keep 
him near them. But he entered the ship which was to take 
him away. The boat touched at several cities, where the disci- 
ples found friends. 

At last they came to Cesarea, and there they entered the 
house of Philip, called the Evangelist. Paul was very anxious 
to go to Jerusalem, but a prophet named Agabus, advised him 
not to go near that city, for he would be seized and given over 
to the Gentiles. On hearing this, his friends entreated him not 
to go, but he would not be persuaded, but answered: 

" What mean you — to break my heart ? I am ready not 
only to be bound, but to die there for the sake of the Lord 
Jesus." 

They ceased urging him, saying, "The Lord's will be 
done." * 




191 



192 



PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 



When he reached Jerusalem, he went into the temple after 
the days of purification had passed, and the Jews who came 
from Asia, began to stir up a riot. They roused the other 
Jews to anger, and bade them seize Paul, for he had taught 
against the law and had brought Greeks into the holy temple, 
thus making it unclean. 

The people were angry, and ran hither and thither, gather- 







ST. PAUL MADE PRISONER. 



PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 193 

ing together in great knots, and at last they seized Paul and 
dragged him out of the temple, and beat him cruelly. 

There was such a terrible uproar that the captain of the 
band of soldiers came to the spot to see what had caused it, 
and the people were afraid of the soldiers, and they gave Paul 
up to them. The captain ordered him secured with chains, 
and then he asked who he was and what he had done. Some 
cried out one thing, and some another, and he, finding he could 
not get at the truth, the noise and confusion being so great, 
ordered Paul brought to the castle. 

The crowd followed, clamoring as they had once not long 
before, for his Master's life. And their cry was nearly the 
same — " Away with him! " 

Paul asked the captain if he might speak to them. 

After asking him a few questions, the captain gave him per- 
mission. And Paul stood on the steps, where the crowd could 
both see and hear him, and beckoned to the multitude. And a 
great silence fell upon them, as he addressed them in the He- 
brew tongue. 

He stood there, in plain sight of all those people who wanted 
to kill him, merely because he taught them how they were wor- 
shiping false gods, and he told them all his history; how he was 
born a Jew, and educated in the law of the fathers. 

He said: "I persecuted unto the death, binding and deliv- 
ering into prisons, both men and women." 

He narrated all that had befallen him. How on his way to 
Damascus, the bright light shone from heaven upon him, and 
he fell on the ground prostrate with fear, and when he asked 
what the Lord would have him do, he was told to rise and go 

13 



194 



PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 




ST. PAUL PREACHING. 



into Damascus. He went, led by the hands of his friends, for 
he was blind and could not see, the light had dazzled him so. 

But a devout man named Ananias, restored his sight to 
him. He was then told that God had chosen him to be a wit- 
ness for Him, and he must be baptized and prepared for the 
great work for which he was selected. 

As he stood there, telling of all these things and much else, 
the crowd that had been listening intently to his words, sud- 
denly broke out in angry tones, and cried: 

" Away with such a fellow from the earth; for it is not fit 
that he should live/' 



PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 195 

They tore their clothes and threw dust into the air, as signs 
of their rage. 

The chief captain ordered him brought at once into the 
castle, to be scourged. 

As they bound him with thongs, he said to the centurion 
standing near: 

" Is it lawful to scourge a Roman, who is uncondemned? " 

The centurion hastened to the chief captain, and warned 
him not to punish Paul, for he was a Roman. 

The captain came to him and inquired if it were true, and 
Paul told him he was, and that he was free born. 

Then the captain was alarmed to think he had bound a 
Roman, and he did not have him scourged. 

The next morning, he was brought before the council, and 
the chief priests, and told to speak. But when he declared 
that he was innocent of having done anything wrong, Ananias, 
the high priest, commanded one of the soldiers to strike him 
in the face. 

Then said Paul: "God shall smite thee, thou whited wall, 
for thou pretendest to judge by the law, and thou strikest a 
man whom the law has not yet made guilty." 

He cried out loudly that he was a Pharisee, and the son of 
a Pharisee, for that sect believed that the dead rose again, thus 
believing something which Paul taught. A great murmuring 
arose; the Pharisees and Sadducees, the two sects of Jews, 
quarreled among themselves, and the scribes who belonged to 
the Pharisees declared that they could find no evil in this man. 

The chief captain, fearing that he would be pulled in pieces 
between them, gave the word to the soldiers to take Paul by 



196 PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 

force and carry him inside of the castle, where he would be safe. 

The Lord had not forsaken him, for in the night Paul saw 
him, and he bade him " Be of good cheer." 

The Jews were not satisfied with having Paul taken from 
them, and forty of their most determined men bound them- 
selves by a solemn oath to neither eat nor drink until they had 
killed him. 

Going up to the council they made a plot that they should 
insist upon his being brought before them the next day, as 
though they would ask more about him and they would rush 
upon him and murder him. 

A young man heard this wicked scheme and he went to Paul 
and told him of it. 

The apostle sent word to the chief captain that a young 
man wished to see him, and when the latter was brought into 
his presence he related all he had heard. 

The chief captain charged him to tell no one else but him, 
then calling two centurions he bade them gather together two 
hundred foot soldiers, seventy mounted soldiers, and two hun- 
dred spearmen, and to start at the third hour of the night, with 
Paul, and take him to Felix, the governor of that province. He 
also wrote a letter to him, saying that he could find no sin 
against Paul worthy of death, or even punishment. 

He furthermore wrote that he had learned of the intended 
attack against Paul's' life; he would send him at once to him to 
be accused or set free, as he should deem best. 

When Felix read the letter, he said he would hear his case 
when his accusers should come to testify against him. He left 
him in the care of soldiers, in Herod's judgment hall. 



PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 



197 



Felix was slow to act, and cautious, but he wished all pro- 
ceedings to be done according to law. His wish was that "all 
things be done decently and in order." 

Five days passed away before Ananias, the high priest, with 
the elders and an orator named Tertullus, appeared against Paul. 



Lret all things be 
ctone decentlY 
and in erder. 



i Cor. xiv. 40. 



i 




He openly accused him of stirring up the people, and profaning 
the temple. 

Felix heard the words of the orator, and all the Jews as- 
sented. He beckoned to Paul to speak, and again this faithful 
apostle simply told the story of his conversion, and his labors 
in behalf of those who would know the better way. He pro- 
tested his innocence of any of the sins he was charged with. 



198 



PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 



Felix was perplexed. He could find no harm in anything 
he had done, and he said he would wait till he could see Lysias, 
the chief captain, before he would decide what to do. 

He knew Paul was innocent, for he placed a centurion over 
him, with permission to let his friends visit him and minister 
unto him. He also allowed his own wife, who was a Jewess, 
this great governor did, to listen to Paul's teachings. But when 
Paul reasoned of the sins which people were committing, and 
of the wrath which our heavenly Father felt against their evil 
ways, then Felix trembled and could not bear to hear his de- 
nunciations, and he promised to listen further at some more 
convenient season. 

He was willing to hear the word, but he could not decide to 




it 

■ "■-*■ v 






PAUL UTTERS HIS DEFENCE. 199 

be as the apostle said, " Doers of the word, and not hearers, 
only." 

Is that right, to put off doing what is right to a more con- 
venient season ? God has distinctly said, " Now is the accepted 
time," and so, little children, when you feel you have done 
wrong, and want to make amends for it, don't say—" I will do 
what is right some other time. I will just be naughty this once." 
No— rather say—" I will be good now. This very moment I 
will begin." 

Then the dear Father who loves you, will bless your efforts, 
and reward them. 

Felix kept Paul in prison many months, for he would not 
boldly say: He is innocent, though his conscience would not 
permit him to punish him any more. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

FESTUS HEARS PAULS STORY. 

The time had come for Felix to leave the office of governor. 
Festus was to take his place. So Felix, to please the wicked 
Jews, who had never ceased to ask for Paul's life, left him in 
prison. 

As soon as the new governor came into the province, he 
went up to Jerusalem, and here the high priests accused the 
apostle of having done very wicked things. And they begged 
Festus to send for him to be brought to Jerusalem, for they 
still meant to lay in wait to kill him. 

Alas, these wicked people were still unbelieving, and knew 
not what was to fall upon that proud city. Her streets no 
more echo with traffic, and the voices of the crowds who go up 
to worship, but huge stones of the ancient wall which once en- 
circled her still stand. In the western wall, 300 to 420 feet 
from the southwestern angle, they are still to be seen; here 
every Friday, Jews and pilgrims visit this desolate spot to 
mourn the fallen city and temple, and pray for their restor- 
ation. 

Festus would not hear to that. He must have suspected 
their intentions, for he told them he would keep Paul in Cesarea, 
and whoever chose to go down with him when he returned 
thither, might do so openly, that he could examine him and de- 
cide as to his guilt. 

Ten days after that he went to Cesarea, accompanied by 
many Jews, and he had Paul brought into the judgment hall, 

201 



202 FESTUS HEARS PAUL'S STORY. 

and those who came from Jerusalem said many wicked things 
about him, which they could not prove. 

Paul simply denied all, and declaring he had done no wrong 
toward any one, he appealed to Caesar. 

King Agrippa and Bernice came to Cesarea to visit Fes- 
tus. He told them the story of his captive— how that Felix 
had left him in prison, and how the Jews called him a bad 
man, and how when he gave them permission to charge 
Paul with the sins they said he was guilty of, they proved 
to be such simple things that he could find no cause for 
holding him. 

Agrippa was very curious to hear Paul talk, and the next 
day, he and Bernice, and Festus, together with the chief cap- 
tains and all the great men, dressed themselves with splendor, 
and went to the judgment hall, to hear his defence. 

Paul once more told of his conversion, and the vision he 
had seen, and of the risen Christ. But Festus tried to silence 
him, and cried out: 

"Paul thou art not right in thy mind. Much knowledge 
hath made thee crazy." 

Paul answered sternly: " I am not mad. I speak the words 
of truth and soberness." 

Agrippa listened with deep interest; and his testimony to 
Paul's sincerity was: " Almost thou persuadest me to be a 
Christian." 

Paul's devout reply was, " I would that thou, and all the rest 
who hear me this day, were not only almost, but altogether, 
such as I am, except being bound." 

He returned good for evil. Although the crowd who pressed 



FESTUS HEARS PAUL'S STORY. 20* 

around, hated him, yet he wished them all to be as he was— happy 
and safe in the trust of his Lord. 

The king, and the governor, and the rest who sat with them, 
rose up and talked together in a low tone, and declared that he 
might have been set at liberty, for aught he had done wrong, if 
he had not appealed to Caesar. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

PAUL IS SENT TO ROME. 

It was now determined to send Paul to Rome, where he 
would be decided innocent or guilty, and he, with many other 
prisoners, was put in a vessel, under the care of a centurion of 
Caesar's band, named Julius. 

This man treated Paul very kindly and when he reached 
Sidon, he gave him permission to go on shore and visit some 
of his friends. 

They continued on their voyage, passing many places on 
their route, and when they were near Crete, Paul warned the 
centurion that a terrible storm was coming up, which would 
damage the boat, and cost them their lives. 

Julius would not heed him — he did not think Paul could 
know anything about sailing, and so they kept on. But a tem- 
pest suddenly sprang up, and they threw out some of the cargo, 
and did all they could to keep the boat from sinking. 

The storm lasted several days, and their hopes of being saved 
grew very faint. Paul told them they should not have left Crete, 
but he told them be hopeful, for an angel of God had come to him 
and told him that every one should be brought safe to shore on 
a certain island. 

Then they began to feel comforted and they ate both bread 
and meat for they had fasted for many days, their anxiety had 
been so great. 

They obeyed him, and ate with cheerfulness, and he blessed 
the food. 

204 • 



PAUL IS SENT TO ROME. 205 

There were two hundred aad seventy-six souls in the ship, 
and at daylight, they found themselves on a strange shore, and 
they ran the ship aground. 

The soldiers proposed to have all the prisoners killed, for 
fear they might escape, but the centurion would not listen to 
so wicked a suggestion. He told all who could swim, to cast 
themselves into the sea and get to land. Those who could not 
swim were to commit themselves to rafts and broken timbers. 
So every one, those who could swim and those who could not, 
reached the land in safety. 

This island was called Melita, and the people who dwelt there 
were savages. But their hearts were tender, and they kindled 
fires to warm and dry those who were wet and cold. 

Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, 
which was burning so brightly. A viper (a very venomous 
snake), came out of the fire, driven forth by the heat, and fast- 
ened itself upon his hand. 

The savages thought at once that he was very wicked, and 
that the viper was sent to punish him, but when Paul shook it 
carelessly off into the fire, without being harmed, they changed 
their minds, and called him a god. Of course this was wrong 
— he was a man, and a very good man, but there was only one 
God. But these barbarians had never heard of the true and 
living God. 

The head man of the island was named Publius. His father 
lay very ill, and Paul visited him, and laying his hand upon him, 
he prayed. 

God answered his prayer, and the disease left the sick man. 
Then others came to be healed, and none went away dis- 
appointed. 



206 



PAUL IS SENT TO ROME. 



After waiting three months, they left the island in a vessel, 
and started once more on their journey to Rome. 

When they arrived there, the centurion who had shown 
such kindness to them all, delivered up the prisoners to the 
captain of the guard. 

Paul was treated with more courtesy than the rest. He was 
allowed to dwell in a house by himself, with one soldier as a 
guard. 

After he had been in Rome three days, Paul called the chief 




ST. PAUL'S ARRIVAL IN ROME. 



PAUL IS SENT TO ROME. 



207 



men among the Jews, and demanded a hearing. He told them 
he had been kept a prisoner, and they appointed a day in which 
to hear his cause. 

Many came to him, and he taught them concerning Jesus, 
both from the law of Moses and the prophets. 

"And some believed the things which were spoken, and 
some believed not." 




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The Jews went away, much disturbed and divided among 
themselves. 

Paul was allowed to live in peace and quiet in a house which 
he hired. He was allowed to preach, and was regarded as a 
prisoner at large. 



208 PAUL IS SENT TO ROME. 

Here he received all who came to him, and preached con- 
tinually those truths which related to his Lord and Master. And 
no man forbade his doing so. 

And from Rome he wrote his epistles to the Philippians, to 
Philemon, to the Colossians, and to the Ephesians. 

Thus the apostles labored faithfully and continually, to carry 
on the mission with which they were intrusted, by their beloved 
Master. And at last when they laid down their lives in His 
service, they heard the welcoming sound of " Well done, thou 
good and faithful servants." 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

PAUL WRITES TO THE CHURCHES. 

After St. Paul went to Rome, he wrote several letters to 
the churches, in which he told them to be steadfast and do 
the works which had been set for them to do. 

These letters were full of thankfulness to God for His 
help and praying that they would all be sustained. 

He also bade them to be humble, diligent and cheerful. 
God loves a cheerful heart— one that takes every thing that 
comes, with patience and a willing, loving disposition. 

False teachers he warned them against. There are many, alas, 
to-day, who mislead and mock those who are trying to do right. 

Remember children, you can try those teachers— the surest 
test of their worth and honesty is the Bible. In that you can 
find the help which will guide you as to forming a true 
opinion of them. 

This beautiful verse from Phillipians will show you what 
is asked of you. 

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, what- 
soever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; 
if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on 
these things y 

Paul wrote in the same manner to Philemon, to the Colos- 
sians, and to the Ephesians. 

You see he was never weary of following the master he 
had chosen, and doing his work in season and out of season. 

209 



210 PAUL WRITES TO THE CHURCHES. 

About this time he was set at liberty. Nothing could be 
brought against him and the rulers were willing to let him go 
free. 

He wrote to the Hebrews, and then went to the Isle of 
Crete, where he left Titus to set all things in order, and 
ordain elders for ministers in all the cities round about. 

In all his epistles he promised many beautiful things to all 
who loved God, and obeyed Him. And these same gifts we 
can all have to-day, just as surely as did those people of old, 
if we do right. 

What is it to do right ? Why to love God and serve Him. 
Does that not seem very easy to do ? 

St. Paul wrote letters to Timothy I, to Titus and to Timothy 
II. The epistles of St. Peter, St. John and St. Jude, appeared 
at this time. 

John addressed the people to whom he wrote, as little 
children because they must become as simple and innocent as 
little children before they could receive the word. He said 
to them: 

" Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and 
every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 

" He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. 

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, 
because that God sent His only begotten son into the world, 
that we might live through him. 

" Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one 
another." 

The apostles were faithful laborers, and were willing and 
ready to die for the Lord. 



PAUL WRITES To THE CHURCHES. 211 

Peter and Paul were seized and suffered martyrdom at 
Rome toward the end of the cruel Nero's reign. 

Jerusalem, the holy city, over which Jesus wept, and which 
he had prophesied would fall, was besieged, sacked and burned. 
Its lovely streets and fine buildings were swept away by the 
spirit of destruction. Over a million Jews perished, and nearly 
one hundred thousand more were taken prisoners. 

Many were filled with despair and took their own lives, 
while still a greater number starved to death or died in exile. 

Thus was fulfilled Christ's sad prophecy — " Behold your 
house is left unto you desolate/' 

John was now made the object of Domitian's hatred, and 
was sent away into the Isle of Patmos. It was while he dwelt 
here that he received the Revelation and wrote it, that alt 
might know how beautiful the glories of a better world are. 

And now, children, you have had given you the story of 
the Bible, and you must love to study its pages. That grand 
book was written for you and for all mankind. By it you can 
learn how to live, and see how much God loves each one 
of you. 

The divine command is — "Search the Scriptures." And 
the child who ' remembers his creator in the days of his 
youth " will always have a sure and safe anchor to which he 
can cling when old age comes on. 




APOCALYPSE. 



212 



SOWING THE SEED. 



fn the vineyard of our Father 

Daily work we find to do; 
Scattered gleanings we may gather 

Though we are but young and few. 
Little clusters 

Help to fill the garners too. 

Toiling early in the morning, 

Catching moments through the day, 
Nothing small or lowly scorning 

While we work, and watch, and pray. 
Gathering gladly 

Free-will offerings by the way. 

Not for selfish praise or glory, 
Not for objects nothing worth 

But to send the blessed story 
Of the Gospel o'er the earth, 

Telling mortals 
Of our Lord and Saviour's birth. 

Up and ever at our calling, 
Till in death our lips are dumb, 

Or till — sin's dominion falling- 
Christ shall in His kingdom come, 

And His children 
Reach their everlasting home. 

213 



Steadfast then in our endeavor, 
Heavenly Father, may we be; 

And forever, and forever, 
We will give the praise to thee; 

Hallelujah 
Singing through eternity. 



OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD, 



I think when I read that sweet story of old, 

When Jesus was here among men, 
How He called little children as lambs to His fold. 

I should like to have been with them then. 

I wish that his hands had been placed on my head, 
That His arm had been thrown around me, 

That I might have seen His kind look when He said, 
" Let the little ones come unto me." 

Yet still to His footstool in prayer 1 may go 

And ask for a share in His love; 
And if 1 thus earnestly seek Him below, 

I shall see Him and hear Him above. 

In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare 

For all who are washed and forgiven, 
Many dear children shall be with Him there, 

For " of such is the kingdom of heaven." 

214 



THE CHILD JESUS/' 



Once in royal David's city 

Stood a lowly cattle shed 
Where a mother laid her baby 

In a manger for his bed. 
Mary was that mother mild, 
Jesus Christ her little child. 

He came down to earth from heaven 
Who is God and Lord, of all, 

And his shelter was a stable, 
And his cradle was a stall. 

With the poor, and mean, and lowly, 

Lived on earth our Saviour holy. 

And through all his wondrous childhood 

He would honor and obey 
Love, and watch the lowly maiden 

In whose gentle arms he lay. 
Christian children all must be 
Mild, obedient, good as he. 

For he is our childhoods pattern, 

Day by day like us he grew. 
He was little, weak, and helpless, 

Tears and smiles like us he knew. 
And he feeleth for our sadness, 
And he shareth in our gladness. 

21 -5 



And our eyes at last shall see him 
Through his own redeeming love, 

For that child so dear and gentle 
Is our Lord in heaven above. 

And he leads his children on 

To the place where he is gone. 

Not in that poor lowly stable 
With the oxen standing by, 

We shall see him; but in heaven 
Set at God's right hand on high. 

When like stars his children crowned 

All in white shall wait around. 



* THE WIDOW'S MITE. 



' The widow's mite! " Who ever saw, 
Since Jesus saw, that wondrous sight, 

Fulfilling all the royal law 
To God and man, "the widow's mite " ? 

And who for fame, or who for love 

To body, intellect, or soul, 
To man below, or God above, 

Has yielded, since that hour, the whole? 



216 



Not one! not one!— the Jewish age 

Has only such example shown; 
It stands, a marvel, on the page 

Of eighteen hundred years, alone. 

" She, of her penury, gave all," 

And shrank, in silence, from the crowd; 
Thou canst thy gifts by hundreds call, 
And set thy name amonj the proud. 

Yet give, but on thy deed do not, 
So often done, a falsehood write; 

Nor to foul avarice add the blot 
Of naming it " the widow's mite." 

Nor deem the blazoned gift of gold, 
Or paltry alms that fear the light, 

For " blest memorial " will be told, 
Or thought of, as " the widow's mite." 

William B. Tappan. 



217 



DENIAL BY PETER. 



We look with scorn on Peter's thrice told lie ! 
Boldly we say, " Good brother, you nor I, 

So near the sacred Lord, the Christ indeed, 
Had dared his name and marvelous grace deny." 

O futile boast! O haughty lips, be dumb! 
Unheralded by boisterous trump or drum, 

How oft 'mid silent eves, and midnight chimes, 
Vainly to us our pleading Lord hath come. 

Knocked at our hearts, striven to enter there; 
But we poor slaves of mortal sin and care, 

Sunk in deep sloth, or bound by spiritual sleep, 
Heard not the voice divine, the tender prayer! 

Ah! well for us if some late spring-tide hour 

Faith still may bring, with blended shine and shower; 

If through warm tears a late remorse may shed, 
Our wakened souls put forth one heavenly flower! 

Paul H. Hayne. 



218 



HOUR OF DEATH. 



Leaves have their time to fall, 
And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, 

And stars to set— but all, 
Thou hast all seasons for thine own, Death! 

Day is for mortal care, 
Eve for glad meetings round the joyous hearth, 

Night for the dreams of sleep, the voice of 
prayer, 
But all for thee, thou mightiest of the earth. 

The banquet hath its hour, 
Its feverish hour of mirth, and song, and wine; 

There comes a day for grief's o'erwhelming 
power, 
A time of softer tears — but all are thine. 

Youth and the opening rose 
May look like things too glorious for decay, 

And smile at thee; but thou art not of those 
That wait the ripened bloom to seize their prey. 

We know when moons shall wane, 
When summer birds from far shall cross the sea, 

When autumn's hue shall tinge the golden grain; 
But who shall teach us when to look for thee? 

219 



Is it when Spring's first gale 
Comes forth to whisper where the violets lie? 

Is it when roses in our paths grow pale? 
They have one season — all are ours to diel 

Thou art where billows foam, 
Thou art where music melts upon the air; 

Thou art around us in our peaceful home, 
And the world calls us forth,— and thou art there. 

Thou art where friend meets friend, 
Beneath the shadow of the elm to rest; 

Thou art where foe meets foe and trumpets 
rend 
The skies, and swords beat down the princely 
crest. 

Mrs. F. D. Hemans. 



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